Overall outbound mobility from South Africa has shown steady growth since the pre-pandemic period, increasing by approximately 30% over the past five years to reach more than 10,500 students studying abroad in 2024/25. Unlike more concentrated outbound markets, South African student mobility is globally dispersed. While interest in the UK and the USA remains strong, Canada has experienced particularly rapid growth, with student numbers doubling over the same period.

In 2024/25, around 1,000 South African students were enrolled in K-12 programmes across English-speaking destinations, nearly twice the pre-pandemic level and highlighting strong potential for further growth in this segment.