Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa
South Africa: Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level was 6.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa, 1994–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa stood at 6.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.8% on the previous year and down 2.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa peaked at 26.0% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2018.
That places South Africa 174th out of 211 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 8.5% | — |
| 1999 | 26.0% | +206.8% |
| 2000 | 10.8% | -58.5% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | -35.2% |
| 2016 | 6.7% | -3.8% |
| 2017 | 5.6% | -16.1% |
| 2018 | 5.5% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 6.0% | +8.1% |
| 2020 | 6.3% | +5.6% |
| 2021 | 6.7% | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 7.2% | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 6.8% | -4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17.2% | 8.5% | 26.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 10.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.2% | 5.5% | 7.0% | 5 |
| 2020s | 6.8% | 6.3% | 7.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), per capita 0.0578 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 3.87 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate -1.55 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), per capita 0.0612 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.22 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 287,310 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 13.45 % change on previous year (2015)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa?
- Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level in South Africa was 6.8% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 26.0% in 1999.
- What is the lowest share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level?
- South Africa ranks 174th out of 211 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share enrolled in private institutions at the pre-primary education level. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Private pre-primary education institutions are managed by private entities, such as NGOs, religious groups, or businesses, rather than public authorities, regardless of profit motive.