South Africa—Female Literacy Rate (%)
Category: EducationSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #43 of 86Updated April 2026
Latest Value
90.8%
2024
YoY Change
+1.6%
2021 → 2024
Global Rank
#43
of 86 countries
Maximum
94.5%
2019
Minimum
87.0%
2007
CAGR
+0.3%
11 years
Last
90.8%
Previous
89.4%
Highest
94.5%
Lowest
87.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's female literacy rate (%) was 90.8% in 2024, ranking #43 out of 86 countries. This represents a +1.6% change from 2021. Over the past 11 years, the highest recorded value was 94.5% (2019) and the lowest was 87.0% (2007). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 90.8% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 89.4% | -5.5% |
| 2019 | 94.5% | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 91.9% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 93.4% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 93.1% | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 92.6% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 92.1% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 91.7% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 91.8% | +5.4% |
| 2007 | 87.0% |
Top Countries — Female Literacy Rate (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uzbekistan | 100.0% | 2022 |
| 2 | Tuvalu | 100.0% | 2022 |
| 3 | Russian Federation | 99.9% | 2021 |
| 4 | San Marino | 99.9% | 2022 |
| 5 | Turkmenistan | 99.9% | 2022 |
| 6 | Armenia | 99.9% | 2023 |
| 7 | Azerbaijan | 99.7% | 2023 |
| 8 | Nauru | 99.7% | 2023 |
| 9 | Georgia | 99.6% | 2024 |
| 10 | Spain | 99.6% | 2021 |