South Africa
Country in Africa
In brief
Public spending on education, share of GDP: 6% (2024). World rank 26 of 184; in Africa, 9 of 46. Out-of-pocket health spending, share of total: 6.7% (2023). World rank 11 of 193 (1 = best); in Africa, 3 of 54. HIV prevalence, ages 15–49: 17.2% (2024). World rank 152 of 153 (1 = best); in Africa, 49 of 50. From 2014 to 2024: adult literacy 94.1% → 91.2%, public spending on education 5.5% → 6% (share of GDP), and children vaccinated against measles 84% → 76%. Better than all its neighbours (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe): doctors per 1,000 people, nurses and midwives per 1,000 people, access to basic sanitation, access to clean cooking fuels, and infant deaths per 1,000 births.