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Literacy

South Africa — 36 years of data

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Historical Values
Year Value
1990 almost all white population literate; government estimates 50% of blacks literate
1991 76% (male 78%, female 75%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
1992 76% (male 78%, female 75%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
1993 age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 76% male: 78% female: 75%
1994 age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 76% male: 78% female: 75%
1995 age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 76% male: 78% female: 75%
1996 age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 81.8% male: 81.9% female: 81.7%
1997 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male : 81.9% female: 81.7% (1995 est.)
1998 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male: 81.9% female: 81.7% (1995 est.)
1999 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male: 81.9% female: 81.7% (1995 est.)
2000 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male: 81.9% female: 81.7% (1995 est.)
2001 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male: 81.9% female: 81.7% (1995 est.)
2002 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85% male: 86% female: 85% (2000 est.)
2003 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2004 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2005 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2006 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2007 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2008 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2009 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2010 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2011 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2012 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.)
2013 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 93.9% female: 92.2% (2011 est.)
2014 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 93.9% female: 92.2% (2011 est.)
2015 definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.3% | male: 95.5% | female: 93.1% (2015 est.)
2016 definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.3% | male: 95.5% | female: 93.1% (2015 est.)
2017 definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.4% | male: 95.4% | female: 93.4% (2015 est.)
2018 definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.) | total population: 94.4% (2015 est.) | male: 95.4% (2015 est.) | female: 93.4% (2015 est.)
2019 definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.4% | male: 95.4% | female: 93.4% (2015)
2020 definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 87% | male: 87.7% | female: 86.5% (2017)
2021 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95.5% female: 94.5% (2019)
2022 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95.5% female: 94.5% (2019)
2023 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95.5% female: 94.5% (2019)
2024 definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95.5% female: 94.5% (2019)
2025 total population: 91.2% (2024 est.) male: 91.5% (2024 est.) female: 90.8% (2024 est.)