The gross tertiary enrollment ratio in South Africa amounted to ***** percent in 2022. Between 1970 and 2022, the gross tertiary enrollment ratio rose by ***** percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Higher education performance indicators

As of 2022, 5.5 percent of Black Africans aged 18 to 29 were enrolled at a higher education institution in South Africa, which marks an increase of 2.6 percentage points compared to 2002. And while Black Africans constituted the majority of young adult students in numbers, the participation rate of this population group continued to be lower compared to the Indian/Asians at 19.6 percent and the white population group at 17.7 percent.

Spreadsheet of data sourced on South African sources, resources and providers of higher education open data. Composed through desk review as principle component of the situational analysis conducted for the 'Use of open data in the governance of South African higher education' research project, in the IDRC/WWWF 'Exploring Emerging Impacts of Open Data in the South' initiative.

Preliminary study into the uptake and usage of collective statistics in South Africa with valuable lessons for other African countries and the developing world

In 2018, tertiary education attainment was highest among the White population in South Africa, with around ****, **** and *** percent of the individuals associated with Generation X, Millennials, and Born-free Millennials, respectively. Moreover, compared to the generation of Millennials, tertiary school completion was higher in all population groups in Generation X, except among Indians/Asians. Furthermore, the total share of Millennials who received a tertiary education (**** percent) was slightly lower than that of Generation X. However, the source indicates that a possible explanation to that is that some of the Millennials were still obtaining their higher education degrees.

South Africa ZA: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 7.818 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.137 % for 2014. South Africa ZA: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 5.658 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.887 % in 2001 and a record low of 4.166 % in 2006. South Africa ZA: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; ;

Graph and download economic data for Ratio of Female to Male Tertiary School Enrollment for South Africa (SEENRTERTFMZSZAF) from 1988 to 2022 about enrolled, South Africa, ratio, females, tertiary schooling, males, and education.

The Gender Parity Index (GPI) for gross enrollment in tertiary education in South Africa was **** points in 2022. Between 1988 and 2022, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) rose by **** points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

In 2018, **** percent of the individuals belonging to Generation X in South Africa had completed tertiary education. On the other hand, the share of millennials having received a tertiary education was slightly lower at **** percent. However, the source indicates that a possible explanation for that is that some of the millennials were still obtaining their higher education degrees. By contrast, only *** percent of the born-free generation had finished tertiary education, with the note that the majority of them were too young to be in school or were still in school.

School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) in South Africa was reported at 27.17 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Percentage of graduates from tertiary education graduating from Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction programmes, both sexes (%) in South Africa was reported at 7.9958 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Percentage of graduates from tertiary education graduating from Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction programmes, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Student, staff, research and financial data for South African universities for the period 2009 to 2016.

The results of the survey on the D3M perspectives in South African HEIs, including the results of Descriptive Statistics and Principal Component Analysis are shared here.

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in South Africa was reported at 1177684 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

This statistic shows the total number of students that graduated from postsecondary institutions in South Africa in 2015, by field of study and race. In 2015, a total of 27,337 African students earned a degree in education.

Persistent structural inequalities in South African higher education continue to limit equitable academic progression, with factors such as food insecurity, financial stress, first-generation status, and language barriers disproportionately affecting student outcomes.

Forecast: Higher Education Total R&D Personnel in South Africa 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

ZA: Adolescents Out of School: % of Lower Secondary School Age data was reported at 14.907 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.863 % for 2005. ZA: Adolescents Out of School: % of Lower Secondary School Age data is updated yearly, averaging 11.280 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2015, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.081 % in 1994 and a record low of 6.863 % in 2005. ZA: Adolescents Out of School: % of Lower Secondary School Age data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Education Statistics. Adolescents out of school are the percentage of lower secondary school age adolescents who are not enrolled in school.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Forecast: Higher Education Expenditure on R&D in South Africa 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!