UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa

South Africa: UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of was 13.5% in 2017. ▬ Flat

Latest (2017)
13.5%
Change on year
up 164.5%
World rank
35th
of 74 countries
All-time high
13.5%
in 2017
All-time low
4.8%
in 1985
Years of data
18
1970–2017

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa, 1970–2017

0510151970199320171970: 5.41980: 11.81985: 4.82001: 6.72002: 7.22003: 6.72004: 72005: 6.72006: 6.62007: 6.82008: 6.32009: 62010: 6.22011: 5.92012: 5.72014: 5.12015: 5.12017: 13.5

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa is 13.5%, measured in 2017. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.

The figure is up 164.5% on the previous year and up 99.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa peaked at 13.5% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 1985.

That places South Africa 35th out of 74 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is primary, both sexes in South Africa, 1970 to 2017.
Year Value Change
1970 5.4%
1980 11.8% +118.1%
1985 4.8% -59.5%
2001 6.7% +39.9%
2002 7.2% +7.5%
2003 6.7% -6.2%
2004 7.0% +4.3%
2005 6.7% -4.5%
2006 6.6% -1.6%
2007 6.8% +2.5%
2008 6.3% -7.2%
2009 6.0% -4.6%
2010 6.2% +3.0%
2011 5.9% -4.5%
2012 5.7% -3.4%
2014 5.1% -10.6%
2015 5.1% +0.4%
2017 13.5% +164.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 5.4% 5.4% 5.4% 1
1980s 8.3% 4.8% 11.8% 2
2000s 6.7% 6.0% 7.2% 9
2010s 6.9% 5.1% 13.5% 6

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 32 Spain 14.2% compare
  2. 33 Poland 13.9% compare
  3. 34 Cyprus 13.8% compare
  4. 36 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 13.4% compare
  5. 37 France 13.3% compare
  6. 38 Pakistan 12.4% compare

See the full ranking of 74 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa?
Uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa was 13.5% in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 13.5% in 2017.
What is the lowest uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 1985.
How does South Africa rank for uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of?
South Africa ranks 35th out of 74 countries with data for 2017.
Is uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 99.6%. 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 UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is primary, both sexes. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/uis-percentage-of-population-age-25-whose-highest-level-of-education-is-primary-both-sexes/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is primary, both sexes
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
74 places, 809 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

The percentage of population (age 25 and over) with completed primary (ISCED 1) as the highest level of educational attainment. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 25 years and above with completed primary education as the highest level of educational attainment by the total population of the same age group and multiplying the result by 100. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) educational attainment dataset shows the educational composition of the population aged 25 years and above and hence the stock and quality of human capital within a country. The dataset also reflects the structure and performance of the education system and its accumulated impact on human capital formation. For more information, visit the UNESCO Institute for Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/