South Africa: Primary school enrollment
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
| South Africa |
Primary school enrollment, percent of all eligible children |
|---|---|
| Latest value | 101.77 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Measure | percent |
| Data availability | 1970 - 2023 |
| Average | 97.31 |
| Min - Max | 79.08 - 107.31 |
| Source | UNESCO |
The latest value from 2023 is 101.77 percent, a decline from 102.4 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 99.44 percent, based on data from 156 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1970 to 2023 is 97.31 percent. The minimum value, 79.08 percent, was reached in 1986 while the maximum of 107.31 percent was recorded in 2015.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
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The primary school enrollment can exceed 100% due to the inclusion of over-aged and under-aged students because of early or late school entrance and grade repetition.
Definition: Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Primary education provides children with basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills along with an elementary understanding of such subjects as history, geography, natural science, social science, art, and music.
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| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education spending, percent of GDP | 6.02 | 2024 | percent |
| Education spending, percent of government spending | 19.14 | 2025 | percent |
| Literacy rate | 91.15 | 2024 | percent |
| Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 97.99 | 2024 | percent |
| Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 96.34 | 2024 | percent |
| Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 97.17 | 2024 | percent |
| Student teacher ratio, primary school | 30.33 | 2015 | students per teacher |
| Primary school completion rate | 95.33 | 2023 | percent |
| School starting age, primary school | 7 | 2025 | 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 | 1.42 | 2023 | percent |
| Preprimary school enrollment | 17.55 | 2020 | percent |
| Primary school enrollment | 101.77 | 2023 | percent |
| Secondary school enrollment | 104.13 | 2023 | percent |
| Tertiary school enrollment | 23.49 | 2023 | percent |
| Trained teachers in primary education | 77.92 | 2002 | percent |