Education
Matric pass rates, enrolment figures, literacy rates and tertiary education data.
3 datasets · Last updated 15 January 2025
Dataset update log
Education
Annual
Last updated: 15 January 2025
Source: DBE
Release: NSC Examination Results
Level: national
Recent history
National Matric Pass Rate
4.4pp87.3%
from 2023
The national senior certificate (matric) pass rate for the 2024 academic year, the highest on record. Bachelor's degree passes (qualifying for university entrance) were achieved by 47.8% of candidates. 1,044,415 candidates wrote the examinations.
National Matric Pass Rate has increased by 16.6pp from 2015 to 2024 — a positive development.
Adult Literacy Rate (20+)
2.0pp87.0%
since Census 2011
Proportion of adults aged 20 and older who can read and write, as recorded in the 2022 National Census. This represents significant improvement from 85.0% in 2011. The next census is expected in 2032.
Proportion of adults aged 20 and older who can read and write, as recorded in the 2022 National Census.
Higher Education Enrolment
3.2%1.07M
from 2022
Total headcount enrolments at public universities for the 2023 academic year, across 26 public higher education institutions. This excludes TVET colleges and private higher education institutions.
Higher Education Enrolment has remained broadly stable at around 1.07, with little change over the recent 6 periods.
Understanding the data
National Matric Pass Rate rose by 4.4 percentage points from 2023 (82.9%) to 2024 (87.3%) — a positive development.
Over the 10-period dataset from 2015 to 2024, National Matric Pass Rate has increased by 16.6pp — a net improvement. The highest recorded value was 87.3% (2024) and the lowest was 70.7% (2015).
Education outcomes shape the long-run labour supply and are central to reducing structural unemployment. The matric pass rate at 87.3% represents the gateway to tertiary education and formal employment. Sustained improvement in educational quality is widely cited as the most important long-term lever for reducing inequality.
The matric pass rate measures students who achieved 30%+ in all subjects — a relatively low bar. Quality is better assessed via Bachelor's-pass rates (needed for university entry) or international literacy/numeracy benchmarks such as PIRLS and TIMSS, where SA consistently underperforms. This figure is drawn from the NSC Examination Results 2024, published by Department of Basic Education.
Trend visualisations
National Matric Pass Rate
Unit: %
National Matric Pass Rate has increased by 16.6pp from 2015 to 2024 — a positive development.
- 2015: 70.7%
- 2024: 87.3%
- Change: +16.6pp over 10 periods
- Recent momentum: accelerating upward
Higher Education Enrolment
Unit: million
Higher Education Enrolment has remained broadly stable at around 1.07, with little change over the recent 6 periods.
- Range: 0.975–1.07 over this period
Data sources
Data Source
Department of Basic Education
NSC Examination Results 2024
Published 15 January 2025
Data Source
Statistics South Africa
Census 2022 Statistical Release
Published 10 October 2023
Data Source
Department of Higher Education and Training
Statistics on Post-School Education and Training 2023
Published 1 November 2024