Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes was 96.7% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
96.7%
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
34th
of 68 countries
All-time high
98.5%
in 2011
All-time low
90.9%
in 1996
Years of data
11
1996–2024
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa, 1996–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa is 96.7%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 1.3% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 98.5% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 90.9%, in 1996.
That places South Africa 34th out of 68 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 90.9% | — |
| 2009 | 97.7% | +7.5% |
| 2010 | 98.0% | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 98.5% | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 98.2% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 98.3% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 98.4% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 95.9% | -2.6% |
| 2019 | 97.9% | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 95.4% | -2.6% |
| 2024 | 96.7% | +1.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 96.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 98.8%, 98% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 96.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 75.1%, 1.3× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 90.9% | 90.9% | 90.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 97.7% | 97.7% | 97.7% | 1 |
| 2010s | 97.9% | 95.9% | 98.5% | 7 |
| 2020s | 96.0% | 95.4% | 96.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 31 El Salvador 97.2% compare
- 32 Tunisia 97.0% compare
- 33 India 96.7% compare
- 35 Iran, Islamic Republic of 96.4% compare
- 36 Dominican Republic 95.9% compare
- 37 Lesotho 95.2% compare
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 literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa?
- Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa was 96.7% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 98.5% in 2011.
- What is the lowest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 90.9% in 1996.
- How does South Africa rank for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 34th out of 68 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release