Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 295,988 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa, 1980–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa is 295,988, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 12.9% on the previous year and up 144.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 831,978 in 1980 and was at its lowest, 112,327, in 2015.
That places South Africa 14th out of 58 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.
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 831,978 | — |
| 1996 | 520,038 | -37.5% |
| 2007 | 277,452 | -46.6% |
| 2009 | 186,431 | -32.8% |
| 2010 | 152,809 | -18.0% |
| 2011 | 135,326 | -11.4% |
| 2012 | 123,657 | -8.6% |
| 2014 | 121,055 | -2.1% |
| 2015 | 112,327 | -7.2% |
| 2019 | 162,970 | +45.1% |
| 2021 | 339,948 | +108.6% |
| 2024 | 295,988 | -12.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 831,978 | 831,978 | 831,978 | 1 |
| 1990s | 520,038 | 520,038 | 520,038 | 1 |
| 2000s | 231,942 | 186,431 | 277,452 | 2 |
| 2010s | 134,691 | 112,327 | 162,970 | 6 |
| 2020s | 317,968 | 295,988 | 339,948 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 181,739 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 339,638 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 410,708 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 407,696 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa?
- Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa was 295,988 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 831,978 in 1980.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 112,327 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 14th out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 144.5%. 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, published as part of Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release