Photo: Damien du Toit · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Africa: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
South Africa is placed joint 102nd of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 6.064 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 78.78 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
joint102nd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 6.064Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 78.78Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 54.12Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 6.123Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place South Africa on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · South Africa’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
6.064
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
South Africa: 6.064. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.535 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 0.535 · Lesotho 32.17 · Mozambique 1 · Namibia 0.865 · Eswatini 3.825 · Zimbabwe 10.52
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · South Africa’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
78.78
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
South Africa: 78.78. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Southern Africa
- 92.8 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 55.89 · Lesotho 30.51 · Namibia 92.8 · Zimbabwe 56.5
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
54.12
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
South Africa: 54.12. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Southern Africa
- 65.38 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 65.38 · Lesotho 28.44 · Mozambique 8.65 · Namibia 37.58 · Eswatini 37.73 · Zimbabwe 8.15
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
6.123
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
South Africa: 6.123. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Southern Africa
- 7.29 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Lesotho 7.29 · Eswatini 5.004 · Zimbabwe 0.385
02Over time
Which way South Africa is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 17.79 in 2000 to 6.064 in 2023; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.393.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 6.1 3.393 2022 5.8 3.002 2021 3.8 3.330 2020 8.1 2.678 2019 8.3 2.758 2018 9.3 2.439 2017 6.3 2.907 2016 — 2.954 2015 4.9 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 — 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 — 3.577 2008 — 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 13.0 4.571 2004 13.3 3.791 2003 14.0 4.412 2002 15.1 4.144 2001 16.7 4.051 2000 17.8 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 37.09 in 2000 to 78.78 in 2023; the world median went from 66.32 to 87.61.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 78.8 87.6 2022 77.5 87.7 2021 69.9 87.0 2020 79.2 88.3 2019 76.6 88.8 2018 77.0 89.6 2017 — 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 70.4 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 37.1 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 43.52 in 2000 to 54.12 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 54.12 64.9 2024 53.52 65.0 2023 52.80 64.2 2022 52.05 63.6 2021 51.32 62.9 2020 50.69 62.2 2019 49.97 61.5 2018 49.25 60.9 2017 48.64 60.5 2016 48.12 60.1 2015 47.83 58.9 2014 47.88 57.0 2013 47.87 54.7 2012 47.62 52.4 2011 47.05 50.9 2010 46.65 49.5 2009 46.33 48.5 2008 46.01 47.4 2007 45.48 46.2 2006 44.77 45.0 2005 44.28 43.8 2004 44.07 42.9 2003 43.77 41.6 2002 43.68 40.3 2001 43.42 39.0 2000 43.52 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 4.909 in 2000 to 6.123 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2023 6.12 3.7092 2022 6.16 4.0570 2021 6.56 4.2611 2020 6.17 4.4056 2019 5.91 4.1407 2018 5.64 4.2159 2017 5.60 4.1401 2016 5.44 4.2342 2015 5.48 4.2386 2014 5.49 4.2005 2013 5.35 4.3493 2012 5.52 4.0348 2011 5.29 3.9987 2010 5.13 4.1396 2009 4.76 4.6638 2008 4.37 4.4226 2007 4.45 4.1717 2006 4.53 4.0593 2005 4.52 4.0557 2004 4.51 3.9745 2003 4.35 4.1595 2002 4.55 4.0173 2001 4.64 4.1002 2000 4.91 3.8861
03In context
South Africa beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
South Africa and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Namibia | 80th | 0.865 | 92.8 | 37.58 | — |
 Eswatini | 101st | 3.825 | — | 37.73 | 5.004 |
 Botswana | =102nd | 0.535 | 55.89 | 65.38 | — |
| South Africa | =102nd | 6.064 | 78.78 | 54.12 | 6.123 |
 Mozambique | 139th | 1 | — | 8.65 | — |
 Lesotho | 154th | 32.17 | 30.51 | 28.44 | 7.29 |
 Zimbabwe | =190th | 10.52 | 56.5 | 8.15 | 0.385 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
- Namibia80th
- Eswatini101st
- Botswana=102nd
- South Africa=102nd
- Lesotho154th
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below South Africa in the topic’s list.
Rwanda100th- Eswatini101st
- Botswana=102nd
- South Africa=102nd
Iran104th
Ukraine105th
Vanuatu106th
04Context, no vote
Where South Africa is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which South Africa does better than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.3630.446No earlier reading
South Africa: 0.363 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 121st of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8310.619▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.831 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 44th of 176 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93311.619.933▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 11.61 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 51st of 193 · derived.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8120.1417.81▲ Improved since 2012
South Africa: 20.14 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.
Position 24th of 68 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.7460.529No earlier reading
South Africa: 0.746 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.7913.34▼ Worsened since 2013
South Africa: 13.79 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 91st of 195 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2190.3689.21No real change since 2015
South Africa: 90.36 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 78th of 164 · derived.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which South Africa does worse than the middle country measured.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4397.1197.43No real change since 2015
South Africa: 97.11 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 86th of 165 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0857.260.08No earlier reading
South Africa: 57.2 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2297.1798.22No earlier reading
South Africa: 97.17 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9991.1593.99No earlier reading
South Africa: 91.15 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 99th of 172 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95444.16701.95No earlier reading
South Africa: 444.16 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 86th of 145 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.829.743.8No earlier reading
South Africa: 29.7 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7647.265.76▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 47.2 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.
Position 61st of 95 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.6037.941No real change since 2010
South Africa: 5.603 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 136th of 172 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.867.01719.86No real change since 2013
South Africa: 7.017 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 90 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0282.0234.02No earlier reading
South Africa: 82.02 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 19th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32342.76414.32▼ Worsened since 2010
South Africa: 342.76 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 158th of 172 · derived.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.349.1735.3Moved since 2014
South Africa: 49.17 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24037,9892,240No real change since 2022
South Africa: 37,989 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 292No earlier reading
South Africa: 9 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1747.6138.17No earlier reading
South Africa: 47.61 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3528.5534.35Moved since 2018
South Africa: 28.55 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6013.3675.601Moved since 2014
South Africa: 3.367 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2791.1125.279Moved since 2013
South Africa: 1.112 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.
No current reading for South Africa
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2023), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2023), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2023), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2023), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2023), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2023), Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2001), Research and Development Spending (last 2022), School Life Expectancy (last 2023), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2023) and Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2023). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among South Africa’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is South Africa’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality40th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade39th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology61st of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties65th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 77th of 1844/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation101st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital116th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 134th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 148th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience152nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality145th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability172nd of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders South Africa can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Tunisia=48th3/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
Namibia80th3/4 keysThis page
South Africa=102nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
South Africa on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does South Africa rank on education & knowledge?
South Africa is placed joint 102nd of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for South Africa?
6.064 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for South Africa?
78.78 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does South Africa compare with Mozambique on education & knowledge?
Mozambique is placed 139th of 198, and South Africa joint 102nd. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Mozambique 1, South Africa 6.064; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Mozambique 8.65, South Africa 54.12.
How have South Africa’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 17.79 in 2000 to 6.064 in 2023; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 37.09 in 2000 to 78.78 in 2023; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 43.52 in 2000 to 54.12 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 4.909 in 2000 to 6.123 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for South Africa?
No current reading is published for South Africa on Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Research and Development Spending, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment and Tertiary Enrolment Ratio. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
South Africa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Africa (banner) — Damien du Toit, CC BY 2.0
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Africa: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-africa/education