As of 2021, South Africa's total literacy rate was around 90 percent, which means 90 percent of all South Africans could read and write.Â
There is literally no definition
The literacy rate measures the percentage of people aged 15 and above who can read and write. There is no common definition for what counts as being literate; individual countries use individual assessments and standards to define it. Despite this, the literacy rate is an important indicator of the standard of education and thus the standard of living in a country.
Sub-standard Sub-Sahara
Although its educational system does not have the best reputation, South Africa’s literacy rate is well above average among their geographical peers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Illiteracy is still a significant global problem, and Sub-Saharan Africa is not among the leading regions when it comes to literacy and education. In 2011, 32 million children of primary school age did not go to school in that region, but projections see enrollment figures increasing in the future – if true, this could not only improve the region’s literacy rates, but also its standard of living and human progress in general.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ can support your business.
World Bank. (July 1, 2025). South Africa: Literacy rate from 2007 to 2021, total and by gender [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/
World Bank. "South Africa: Literacy rate from 2007 to 2021, total and by gender." Chart. July 1, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/
World Bank. (2025). South Africa: Literacy rate from 2007 to 2021, total and by gender. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/
World Bank. "South Africa: Literacy Rate from 2007 to 2021, Total and by Gender." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 1 Jul 2025, /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/
World Bank, South Africa: Literacy rate from 2007 to 2021, total and by gender ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
South Africa: Literacy rate from 2007 to 2021, total and by gender [Graph], World Bank, July 1, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/572836/literacy-rate-in-south-africa/