South Africa
Last updated May 3, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Emerging readiness
South Africa demonstrates early-stage readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (62nd percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 62nd
- Global rank
- #68
- Regional rank
- #1
- Viewing data for
Country profile
South Africa performs close to the global average across all GEFRI dimensions. Progress is evident, yet stronger ambition is needed to reach futures readiness among global peers.
All or most indicators are based on observed data, giving planners a dependable evidence base for decisions. Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Limited tertiary enrollment narrows future talent pipelines and innovation capacity.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.
Regionally, South Africa leads most clearly in School Access and Gender Parity, sitting well above the peer average.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 62nd percentile.
- Places 68th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 1st within Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Scores range from Access & Parity (71.1) to Innovation (48.6), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Sub-Saharan Africa
Composite GEFRI Score