Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes was 91.6% in 2017. ▬ Flat
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa, 1996–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2017, adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa stood at 91.6%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.8% on the previous year and down 4.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 97.3% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 90.5%, in 1996.
That places South Africa 28th out of 41 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 90.5% | — |
| 2009 | 96.3% | +6.4% |
| 2010 | 96.4% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 96.4% | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 97.0% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 97.0% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 97.3% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 91.6% | -5.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 91.6% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 95.9%, 95% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 91.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 72.6%, 1.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 90.5% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 96.3% | 96.3% | 96.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 95.9% | 91.6% | 97.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa?
- Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in South Africa was 91.6% in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 97.3% in 2015.
- What is the lowest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 90.5% in 1996.
- How does South Africa rank for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 28th out of 41 countries with data for 2017.
- Is adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.9%. 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 Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of adults in urban areas over age 15 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life. For more information, consult the UNESCO Institute of Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/