Least developed countries vs South Africa: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes

Least developed countries
162.52 million number
in 2019
South Africa
9.83 million number
in 2019
Least developed countries rank
21st
South Africa rank
22nd

Population of compulsory school age, both sexes over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
050.0M100.0M150.0M199720082019

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 162.52 million number against 9.83 million number in South Africa, a difference of 152.69 million number.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 16.5 times South Africa's.

Across all 22 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 22nd of 43 groups.

Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 81.99 million number 9.48 million number 72.51 million number Least developed countries
2000s 101.73 million number 9.06 million number 92.67 million number Least developed countries
2010s 146.73 million number 9.10 million number 137.63 million number Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher population of compulsory school age, both sexes, Least developed countries or South Africa?
Least developed countries, at 162.52 million number against 9.83 million number in South Africa as of 2019.
What is the difference in population of compulsory school age, both sexes between Least developed countries and South Africa?
152.69 million number, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
22 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2019.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
Least developed countries ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 22nd of 43 groups.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/population-of-compulsory-school-age-both-sexes-number/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number)
Unit
number
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
231 places, 4,849 data points, 1975–2020
Last refreshed

Population of children within the age span that children are legally obliged to attend school.