South Africa
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South Africa
Overview of the education system (EAG 2025)
  • In South Africa, the share of 25–34 year-olds without upper secondary fell from 50% to 43% between 2019 and 2024, continuing the OECD trend, where the average is 13%.
  • Only 1% of young adults in South Africa hold a master’s degree, compared to the OECD average of 16%. This share has not changed since 2019, reflecting very limited access to postgraduate education.
  • Graduate distribution in South Africa differs from OECD averages: 15% in STEM, 38% in business, administration and law, and 16% in arts and humanities, compared with OECD averages of 23%, 23% and 22% respectively.
  • Education accounts for 6.9% of GDP in South Africa, the highest level among the countries presented here, and well above the OECD average of 4.7%, showing strong relative prioritisation of education.
  • Per tertiary student expenditure in South Africa is USD 11,504, below the OECD average of USD 15,102, but still significantly higher than at lower levels of education.
  • South Africa spends USD 3,108 per student from primary to post-secondary non-tertiary levels, positioning it near the lower end of the OECD range, which varies from under USD 2,000 to over USD 27,000.
    • | Education at a Glance 2025 | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2025 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | Department of Basic Education | Department of Higher Education and Training | Statistics South Africa |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.8 %, rank 2/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.3 %, rank 5/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained a general upper secondary or post-secondary qualification is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (41.7 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the percentage of 25-64 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (7.2 %, rank 33/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    South Africa has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-olds whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (1.1 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (62.4 %, rank 5/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a general degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (48.5 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (7.2 %, rank 36/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (0.6 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-64 year-old men who have attained a general degree at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.5 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-old women who have attained a general degree at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.5 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.5 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 35-44 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 45-54 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.8 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 55-64 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.1 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.9 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 35-44 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.3 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 45-54 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 55-64 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.3 %, rank 39/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old women who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (7.8 %, rank 33/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    South Africa has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old men whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (1.1 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    South Africa has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old women whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (1.1 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in South Africa is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (44.5 %, rank 2/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in South Africa is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (41 %, rank 2/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in South Africa is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.2 %, rank 4/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in South Africa is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.4 %, rank 5/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The proportion of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.9 %, rank 42/44 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Enrolment in pre-primary education (ISCED 02) among 3- to 5-year-olds in South Africa was among the lowest internationally. (9.6 %, rank 46/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among 6–14-year-olds, enrolment in lower secondary programmes in South Africa ranked among the lowest internationally. (8.7 %, rank 46/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Enrolment of 6–14-year-olds in primary education placed South Africa among the highest across countries. (72.3 %, rank 4/47 , 2023) Download Indicator

    South Africa has one of the smallest shares of lower secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes. (0 %, rank 22/22 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The average age of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in vocational programmes in South Africa is among the lowest. (21.8 %, rank 28/28 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary vocational programmes in South Africa is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.8 %, rank 41/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    In South Africa, international or foreign students from Latin America and the Caribbean are least represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.4 %, rank 37/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, international or foreign students from Asia are least represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.6 %, rank 37/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, international or foreign students from Africa are highest represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (85.1 %, rank 1/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.7 %, rank 40/44 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per student from primary to tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4395 USD Equivalent, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per primary student is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3297 USD Equivalent, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3750 USD Equivalent, rank 37/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per student in post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3131 USD Equivalent, rank 19/22 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the annual expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student in primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education, is relatively low. (3477 USD Equivalent, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student in primary to tertiary education is one the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3918 USD Equivalent, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, public expenditure from initial source of funds on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education per student is relatively low. (3289 USD Equivalent, rank 41/42 , 2022) Download Indicator

    South Africa has a total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student (primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education) comparatively low. (3100 USD Equivalent, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure on public educational institutions per full-time equivalent student from primary to tertiary education is relatively lowest in South Africa. (3938 USD Equivalent, rank 40/41 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In South Africa, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (6.9 %, rank 1/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.7 %, rank 1/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, expenditure on post secondary non-tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (0.1 %, rank 4/23 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, public and private expenditure on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (5 %, rank 1/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (4.5 %, rank 1/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (5.8 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (44.6 %, rank 31/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (39.4 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (44.6 %, rank 35/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (40.9 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is compartively low in South Africa. (41.3 %, rank 37/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (35.5 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (40 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is compartively low in South Africa. (18.7 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-olds with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (34.6 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (29.6 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (40 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (34 %, rank 26/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (44.1 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (43.2 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (41.9 %, rank 38/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (35.9 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (43.1 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (47.8 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (44.1 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (43.2 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (54.2 %, rank 26/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (58.9 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in South Africa. (36 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in South Africa. (32 %, rank 34/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (40.4 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (36.2 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (40.9 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old men without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (48.7 %, rank 38/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old men with upper secondary or a post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (61.5 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively low. (79 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (24 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (20.4 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is comparatively low. (6.9 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is compartively low in South Africa. (44.5 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (66 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (51.3 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (11.5 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (28.6 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old men with below upper secondary education is compartively low in South Africa. (36.7 %, rank 38/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old men with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (72.6 %, rank 35/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (56.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively low in South Africa. (5.6 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old women with tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (2 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in South Africa. (5 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of employed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.4 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of employed 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (61.5 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in South Africa compared to other countries with available data. (28.6 %, rank 35/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in South Africa. (51.3 %, rank 35/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively high. (38.8 %, rank 2/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high. (56.1 %, rank 1/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (46.1 %, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high. (53.2 %, rank 1/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (54.7 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (50.5 %, rank 1/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (45.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among the unemployed population aged between 25 and 64 with below upper secondary education, the share of those who have been unemployed for at least 12 months is one of the largest in South Africa, compared to other OECD countries. (69.9 %, rank 2/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among the unemployed population aged between 25 and 64 with tertiary education, the share of those who have been unemployed for at least 12 months is one of the largest in South Africa, compared to OECD countries. (66.1 %, rank 1/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the highest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (42.6 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in South Africa. (56.2 %, rank 1/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in South Africa. (63.1 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a short cycle tertiary education degree is relatively high in South Africa. (49.4 %, rank 1/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is compartively high in South Africa. (37.8 %, rank 1/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is compartively high in South Africa. (11.1 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively high in South Africa. (40 %, rank 2/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is compartively high in South Africa. (86.6 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (71.8 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.6 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high in South Africa. (60.4 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high in South Africa. (23.9 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is high in South Africa. (19.1 %, rank 3/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (30.2 %, rank 3/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (17.7 %, rank 4/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (13.3 %, rank 3/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (32.8 %, rank 1/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (25.1 %, rank 3/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (13.6 %, rank 5/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (25 %, rank 4/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (32.6 %, rank 1/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (22.4 %, rank 2/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (32.6 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (22.4 %, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively high. (25.8 %, rank 1/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively high. (12.5 %, rank 1/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite high. (351 Index, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a bachelor's or equivalent education are comparatively high. (330.9 %, rank 1/25 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds full- and part-time with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively low in South Africa. (51 %, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a tertiary education degree is comparatively . (83 Index, rank 1/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers without an upper secondary education earning more than twice the overall median in South Africa is one of the highest among countries with available data. (8 Index, rank 1/25 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education earning more than twice the overall median in South Africa is one of the highest among countries with available data. (37 Index, rank 1/28 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-34 year-olds working full-time and full-year with tertiary education compared to those of adults without an upper secondary education are relatively high in South Africa. (492 Index, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers with tertiary education earning at or below half the overall median in South Africa is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (3 Index, rank 26/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 45-54 year-olds working full-time and full-year with tertiary education compared to those of adults without an upper secondary education are relatively high in South Africa. (604 Index, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds working full-time and full-year with bachelor's or equivalent attainment compared to those of adults without an upper secondary education are relatively high in South Africa. (589 Index, rank 1/24 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the relative earnings for 45-54 year-old workers with below upper secondary attainment are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment (54 Index, rank 29/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than the median but at or below 1.5 times the median among those with below upper secondary education is comparatively low . (12 Index, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than the median but at or below 1.5 times the median among those with with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (14 Index, rank 29/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than half the median but at or below the median among those with with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (29 Index, rank 28/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than 1.5 times the median but at or below twice the median among those with tertiary education is comparatively low. (5 Index, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than the median but at or below 1.5 times the median among those with tertiary education is comparatively low. (4 Index, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the distribution of worker earning more than half the median but at or below the median among those with tertiary education is comparatively low. (6 Index, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The earnings of men without an upper secondary education are relatively low compared to those of men with an upper secondary education. (54 Index, rank 29/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The earnings of women without an upper secondary education are relatively low compared to those of women with an upper secondary education. (52 Index, rank 29/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds without an upper secondary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (67.3 %, rank 25/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in South Africa is one of the highest among countries with available data. (25.3 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in South Africa is one of the highest among countries with available data. (47.5 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of youth who have been unemployed for at least one year and not in formal education or training among 18-24 year-olds in South Africa is one of the highest among countries with available data. (2.5 %, rank 4/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men without an upper secondary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high (58.4 %, rank 1/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training without an upper secondary in South Africa is relatively high. (65.6 %, rank 2/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (56.7 %, rank 1/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (46.2 %, rank 1/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary in South Africa is relatively high. (51.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (39.9 %, rank 1/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (33.5 %, rank 1/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with tertiary education in South Africa is relatively high. (37.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (21.2 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (27.6 %, rank 2/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are unemployed NEET (18-24 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (21.6 %, rank 1/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (18.3 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (21 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (23.1 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are unemployed NEET (18-24 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (22.8 %, rank 1/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (20.4 %, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in South Africa is relatively high. (21.1 %, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in South Africa is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (55.1 %, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the share of men neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively high. (14.6 %, rank 4/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among 20-24 year-old men in South Africa, a large share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (52.6 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among 25-29 year-old men in South Africa, a large share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (50.3 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In South Africa, the percentage of women neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds is relatively high . (55.5 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 18-24 year-olds who are neither employed nor in education or training is comparatively large in South Africa. (47.5 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old men neither employed nor in education or training is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (45.9 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old women neither employed nor in education or training is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (49.2 %, rank 1/37 , 2024) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Tertiary attainment among young adults has reached 48% on average across the OECD, the highest level ever, but progress has slowed since 2021. Attainment remains unequal, with women generally outpacing men, and older generations showing lower rates.
    • Employment outcomes for tertiary-educated adults remain strong overall: 87% of them are employed compared to 60% of those without upper seconday. Tertiary education offers good protection against unemployment, but women and disadvantaged groups still face labour market gaps, and inactivity persists among some adults. Moreover, adults with tertiary education earn on average 54% more than those with only upper secondary education.
    • Gender pay gaps remain significant. Despite higher attainment, women with tertiary education consistently earn less than men, even when working full-time, and this gap persists across age groups (73% on average for women aged 25 to 64).
    • Fields of study strongly influence labour market outcomes. Graduates in engineering and in health and welfare fare particularly well, while women’s participation in STEM remains below parity (14% of graduates at tertiary level) despite being 58% of all tertiary graduates.
    • Internationalisation continues to expand in tertiary education. The share of international students has grown steadily, and OECD countries host a large proportion of the world’s mobile students, reinforcing their global role in higher education.
    • Sustaining tertiary education requires adequate investment. Spending per student is already at 21 021 USD and rising, and tertiary expenditure represents a notable share of GDP (1.4% on average in OECD), making efficiency and equity crucial for long-term sustainability.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Access and Participation  | Education policies: Finance and Funding | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Although many countries have near universal upper secondary attainment among 25–34 year-olds, on average across the OECD 13% of younger adults still lack an upper secondary qualification.
    • NEET shares are now below pre-pandemic levels in about half of OECD and partner countries with trend data; in 8 of these 16 countries the decline exceeds 1 percentage point, while 17 countries exceed pre-pandemic benchmarks and 6 saw increases of more than 2 percentage points.
    • Employment rates rise steadily with higher tertiary attainment: short-cycle 83%, bachelor’s 86%, master’s 90%, and doctoral or equivalent 93% among 25–64 year-olds.
    • Earnings premiums also increase with qualification level: on average across the OECD, short-cycle graduates earn 17% more than those with upper secondary; the advantage is 39% for bachelor’s and 83% for master’s/doctoral graduates.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 85% across the OECD. By contrast, only 29% of children under the age of 3 are enrolled.
    • Participation in early childhood education has grown over the past decade, with enrolment for children under age 3 increasing by 9 percentage points to 29%, and enrolment for ages 3 and above rising by 5 points to 85%.
    • The majority of students in vocational upper secondary education follow programmes that grant full access to tertiary education, with 76% of students enrolled in such programmes on average across the OECD.
    • Completion rates for bachelor’s programmes increase after the theoretical duration of programmes: on average, 44% of students graduate on time, compared to 69% three years after.
    • Students from Asia form the largest regional group of internationally mobile students in tertiary education, representing 58% of all foreign or international students across the OECD in 2023.
    • Only 43% of students complete a bachelor’s degree within the expected duration, though this rises to 59% with one additional year and 70% with three additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • Governments spend on average USD 12 438 per student in primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education, and USD 15 102 per student in tertiary education including R&D.
    • Expenditure per student has risen in absolute terms since 2015, but its share in public budgets has declined, with government spending on education at almost 15% of total government expenditure on average in 2022.
    • Annual spending per student at primary and secondary levels varies widely across OECD countries, from under USD 3 000 in some systems to over USD 25 000 in the most highly funded ones.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education.
    • Spending per student differs markedly between public and private institutions, with expenditure in public tertiary institutions exceeding USD 33 000 in some countries, compared to less than USD 10 000 in others.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Students in OECD countries receive an average of 7 604 hours of compulsory instruction during primary and lower secondary education, with total hours ranging widely across education systems.
    • Compulsory instruction time averages 804 hours per year for primary students and 909 hours for lower secondary students, a difference of about 105 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in pre-primary education has fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2013 to 13 in 2023.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, teachers with 15 years of experience earn USD 55 725 at pre-primary level and USD 63 925 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries are 83–91% of the earnings of similarly educated tertiary-educated workers, while school heads usually earn more than tertiary-educated workers on average across OECD countries.
    • The ratio of students to academic staff is lower in public than in private institutions, averaging about 14 students per staff member in public tertiary institutions compared to 18 in private ones.
    • Nearly half of OECD and partner countries operate non-selective admission systems for first degrees, providing broad access to tertiary education, while entrance exams and centralised systems are also common.
    • The salaries of academic staff in tertiary education vary by seniority. On average, junior staff earn about 62 000 USD, while senior staff earn about 108 000 USD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teachers | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - South Africa
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for South Africa
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Annex 3 
		of EAG 2024 for more details about the data collections.
            

    
            For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.