Knowledge institutions in Africa and their development 1960-2020: South Africa Knowledge Institutions in Africa and their development 1960-2020 South Africa Introduction This report about the development of the knowledge institutions in South Africa was made as part of the preparations for the AfricaKnows! Conference (2 December 2020 – late February 2021) in Leiden, and elsewhere, see www.africaknows.eu. Reports like these can never be complete, and there might also be mistakes. Additions and corrections are welcome! Please send those to
[email protected] Highlights 1 South Africa’s population increased from 17 million in 1960 via 37 million in 1990 to 58 million in 2020. 2 South Africa’s adult literacy levels are high for African standards (87%), and hardly differentiate between men and women. The Mean Years of Education for Adults increased from 6.5 years in 1990 to 10.2 years in 2018. For a long time Gauteng had the best levels, but that position has been taken over by the Western Cape after 2010. Limpopo/Northern and the Eastern Cape had the lowest levels. However, between 1990 and 2018 regional inequality has diminished. 3 Net primary school enrolment is high for African standards as well (87%), but below the post-Apartheid policy goals. Net secondary school enrolment was 68% in 2018, with women in the lead (73% against men 64%). The Expected Years of Schooling for Children increased from 11.4 years in 1990, to 13.7 years in 2018. Between 1990 and 2000 there was a fast improvement, but after 2000 the situation deteriorated, to recover again after 2010.