Abstract

The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is commonly used to measure the degree of participation in tertiary education. It is often used to compare the education levels of people across countries. The GER is an important indicator for policymakers and educators to track progress towards educational goals, detect gaps, and conduct targeted interventions to increase access to high-quality education for all.

South Africa’s tertiary education participation rate remains significantly lower than those observed in similar middle-income countries and other BRICS nations, such as Brazil and China. This finding calls for improved strategic measures and innovative solutions by the South African government, in order to enhance access to higher education, thereby promoting inclusivity, equity and socio-economic advancement.

This publication covers

• Definition and Interpretation of the GER
• Limitation of the GER
• Summary of Findings