Share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa
South Africa: Share of the population with post-secondary education or higher was 50.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa, 2001–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa is 50.7%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 246.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa peaked at 50.7% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8.9%, in 2001.
That places South Africa 15th out of 110 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.9% | — |
| 2002 | 10.3% | +15.5% |
| 2003 | 10.4% | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 10.9% | +4.5% |
| 2005 | 11.0% | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 10.3% | -6.0% |
| 2007 | 10.9% | +5.2% |
| 2008 | 12.0% | +10.5% |
| 2009 | 12.2% | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 12.4% | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 12.7% | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 13.6% | +6.9% |
| 2013 | 14.0% | +3.2% |
| 2014 | 14.6% | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 14.3% | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 13.7% | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 14.8% | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 15.2% | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 49.1% | +223.4% |
| 2024 | 50.7% | +3.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.8% | 8.9% | 12.2% | 9 |
| 2010s | 14.0% | 12.4% | 15.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.9% | 49.1% | 50.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 12 Australia 52.4% compare
- 13 New Zealand 51.1% compare
- 14 Latvia 50.7% compare
- 16 United States of America 49.8% compare
- 17 Republic of Korea 49.6% compare
- 18 Estonia 49.5% compare
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 2.82 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.53 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.68 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 2.97 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 818,404 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 3.28 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa?
- Share of the population with post-secondary education or higher in South Africa was 50.7% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population with post-secondary education or higher recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 50.7% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the population with post-secondary education or higher recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9% in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for share of the population with post-secondary education or higher?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 110 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population with post-secondary education or higher rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 246.7%. 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 of the population with post-secondary education or higher. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of adults aged 25 and older who have completed post-secondary or tertiary education.