Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes was 38,481 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa stood at 38,481.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 25.6% on the previous year and down 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 70,428 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 15,494, in 1998.
South Africa ranks 38th of 135 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 26 years of available data.
Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 15,494 | — |
| 1999 | 34,770 | +124.4% |
| 2000 | 45,377 | +30.5% |
| 2001 | 39,752 | -12.4% |
| 2002 | 46,687 | +17.4% |
| 2003 | 49,979 | +7.1% |
| 2004 | 51,012 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 50,129 | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 53,738 | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 59,237 | +10.2% |
| 2008 | 63,964 | +8.0% |
| 2009 | 60,856 | -4.9% |
| 2010 | 66,119 | +8.6% |
| 2011 | 70,428 | +6.5% |
| 2012 | 42,180 | -40.1% |
| 2013 | 42,351 | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 42,594 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 43,305 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 45,142 | +4.2% |
| 2017 | 45,334 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 42,267 | -6.8% |
| 2019 | 40,712 | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 36,050 | -11.5% |
| 2021 | 33,974 | -5.8% |
| 2022 | 30,631 | -9.8% |
| 2023 | 38,481 | +25.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 25,132 | 15,494 | 34,770 | 2 |
| 2000s | 52,073 | 39,752 | 63,964 | 10 |
| 2010s | 48,043 | 40,712 | 70,428 | 10 |
| 2020s | 34,784 | 30,631 | 38,481 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) -2.55 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 225,583 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 61,727 (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 748,573 (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) -1.43 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number), gaps 444,590 (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number) -4.38 % change on previous year (2023)
- Theoretical duration of primary education (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa?
- Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes in South Africa was 38,481 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 70,428 in 2011.
- What is the lowest total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15,494 in 1998.
- How does South Africa rank for total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 38th out of 135 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.1%. 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 Total inbound internationally mobile students, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release