Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 464,102 number in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa, 1980–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2017, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa stood at 464,102 number.
The figure is up 343.3% on the previous year and up 81.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 814,989 number in 1980 and was at its lowest, 104,694 number, in 2015.
South Africa ranks 22nd of 86 countries on this measure, 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 | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 814,989 number | — |
| 1996 | 510,519 number | -37.4% |
| 2007 | 255,699 number | -49.9% |
| 2009 | 171,749 number | -32.8% |
| 2010 | 141,795 number | -17.4% |
| 2011 | 125,616 number | -11.4% |
| 2012 | 115,119 number | -8.4% |
| 2014 | 112,983 number | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 104,694 number | -7.3% |
| 2017 | 464,102 number | +343.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 814,989 number | 814,989 number | 814,989 number | 1 |
| 1990s | 510,519 number | 510,519 number | 510,519 number | 1 |
| 2000s | 213,724 number | 171,749 number | 255,699 number | 2 |
| 2010s | 177,385 number | 104,694 number | 464,102 number | 6 |
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 464,102 number in 2017, 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 814,989 number in 1980.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 104,694 number in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 22nd out of 86 countries with data for 2017.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 81.5%. 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
Total number of youth between age 15 and age 24 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.