Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa

South Africa: Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes was 80,289 in 2023. ▼ Falling

Latest (2023)
80,289
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
33rd
of 157 countries
All-time high
180,077
in 2010
All-time low
75,626
in 2019
Years of data
5
2010–2023

Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, 2010–2023

050.0k100.0k150.0k200.0k2010201620232010: 180.1k2019: 75.6k2020: 78.8k2022: 80.0k2023: 80.3k

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 80,289 for teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in 2023.

That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and down 55.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 180,077 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 75,626, in 2019.

That places South Africa 33rd out of 157 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.

Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes (number) in South Africa, 2010 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2010 180,077
2019 75,626 -58.0%
2020 78,846 +4.3%
2022 79,960 +1.4%
2023 80,289 +0.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 127,852 75,626 180,077 2
2020s 79,698 78,846 80,289 3

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 30 Myanmar 106,459 compare
  2. 31 Morocco 100,673 compare
  3. 32 Azerbaijan 87,915 compare
  4. 34 Sri Lanka 76,935 compare
  5. 35 Romania 71,216 compare
  6. 36 Guatemala 65,903 compare

See the full ranking of 370 places →

More education data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa?
Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa was 80,289 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 180,077 in 2010.
What is the lowest teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 75,626 in 2019.
How does South Africa rank for teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes?
South Africa ranks 33rd out of 157 countries with data for 2023.
Is teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 55.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/teachers-in-lower-secondary-education-both-sexes-number-2/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Teachers in lower secondary education, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
370 places, 8,604 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release