South Africa: Literacy rate
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
| South Africa |
Literacy rate |
|---|---|
| Latest value | 90.00 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Measure | percent |
| Data availability | 1980 - 2021 |
| Average | 90.13 |
| Min - Max | 76.00 - 95.00 |
| Source | UNESCO |
The latest value from 2021 is 90 percent, a decline from 95 percent in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 86.53 percent, based on data from 48 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1980 to 2021 is 90.13 percent. The minimum value, 76 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 95 percent was recorded in 2019.
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Definition: Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.
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| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education spending, percent of GDP | 6.15 | 2023 | percent |
| Education spending, percent of government spending | 18.65 | 2022 | percent |
| Literacy rate | 90.00 | 2021 | percent |
| Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 97.00 | 2021 | percent |
| Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 96.00 | 2021 | percent |
| Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 97.00 | 2021 | percent |
| Student teacher ratio, primary school | 30.33 | 2015 | students per teacher |
| Primary school completion rate | 91.54 | 2022 | percent |
| School starting age, primary school | 7 | 2023 | years |
| Female to male ratio, primary school pupils | 0.96 | 2020 | percent |
| Female to male ratio, secondary school students | 1.09 | 2020 | percent |
| Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education | 1.41 | 2022 | percent |
| Preprimary school enrollment | 17.55 | 2020 | percent |
| Primary school enrollment | 96.10 | 2022 | percent |
| Secondary school enrollment | 108.30 | 2022 | percent |
| Tertiary school enrollment | 27.17 | 2022 | percent |
| Trained teachers in primary education | 77.92 | 2002 | percent |