South Africa Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
South Africa's tertiary enrollment was 24.33% in 2025, ranked 108th globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
South Africa's tertiary enrollment stood at 24.33% in 2025, a rise of +0.84pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 24.33% by 2025. South Africa ranked 108th globally.
South Africa's tertiary enrollment rate has exhibited a marked increase over the past five decades, rising from a mere 3.99% in 1970 to a peak of 24.33% in 2025. This growth trajectory is comparable to that of Ghana, another African nation that has witnessed a substantial expansion of its tertiary education sector. In contrast, neighboring Turks and Caicos Islands boast a higher tertiary enrollment rate of 26.15%, underscoring the need for South Africa to continue investing in education to bridge the gap. Despite this progress, South Africa's tertiary enrollment rate still lags behind the global average, ranking 108th among countries in 2025. The country's efforts to expand access to higher education have been crucial in driving growth, although challenges such as funding constraints and infrastructure limitations persist. To sustain this momentum, South Africa must continue to prioritize education, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, to ensure that all citizens have access to quality tertiary education and training.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 24.69% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 24.33% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.33% | +0.84pp | #108 |
| 2023 | 23.49% | −0.23pp | #97 |
| 2022 | 23.73% | +1.38pp | #100 |
| 2021 | 22.34% | −0.27pp | #103 |
| 2020 | 22.61% | +0.37pp | #103 |
| 2019 | 22.24% | −0.11pp | #103 |
| 2018 | 22.35% | +1.26pp | #101 |
| 2017 | 21.09% | +2.16pp | #104 |
| 2016 | 18.93% | −0.10pp | #108 |
| 2015 | 19.03% | +0.55pp | #110 |
| 2014 | 18.48% | −0.13pp | #99 |
| 2013 | 18.61% | +0.66pp | #97 |
| 2012 | 17.94% | +2.24pp | #99 |
| 1994 | 15.70% | +2.08pp | #14 |
| 1993 | 13.62% | +1.30pp | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
South Africa matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa's tertiary enrollment was 24.33% in 2025. Ranked 108th globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
South Africa's tertiary enrollment peaked at 24.33% in 2025.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in South Africa was 3.99% in 1970.
South Africa ranks 108th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
South Africa's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 24.33% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of South Africa in 2025 was 24.33%. This ranks 108th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-africa_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {South Africa Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-africa/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}