Education in Free State, South Africa: official figures
89.3% of the 38,205 full-time candidates in Free State passed the 2025 National Senior Certificate (matric) exams, down from 91.0% in 2024; 2nd highest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 88.0%).
How many matrics in Free State qualify for university?
43.8% of Free State's 2025 matric candidates (16,728) achieved a bachelor pass, the level needed for university, 5th highest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 46.4%).
Source: Department of Basic Education · saved copyHow do Free State learners do in maths?
21.5% of the 12,734 candidates in Free State who wrote mathematics in 2025 scored 50% or more (2024: 28.9%), 3rd lowest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 25.1%).
Source: Department of Basic Education · saved copyHow educated are adults in Free State?
2.4% of adults aged 20 and older in Free State had no formal schooling in 2025 (South Africa: 2.6%), 35.7% had matric as their highest qualification, and 9.1% held a post-school diploma or degree, the lowest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 14.8%).
Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copyHow much does Free State spend on schools?
The Free State education department spent R19.9 billion in 2025/26, 42% of all provincial spending (102.2% of its adjusted budget).
Source: National Treasury · saved copyHow Free State compares with other provinces
Matric (NSC) pass rate (2025)
Free State ranks 2 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Matric (NSC) pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KwaZulu-Natal | 90.60% |
| 2 | Free State | 89.33% |
| 3 | Gauteng | 89.06% |
| 4 | North West | 88.49% |
| 5 | Western Cape | 88.20% |
| 6 | Northern Cape | 87.79% |
| 7 | Mpumalanga | 86.55% |
Matric candidates with a bachelor pass (2025)
Free State ranks 5 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Matric candidates with a bachelor pass |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Western Cape | 49.2% |
| 3 | Gauteng | 48.2% |
| 4 | North West | 44.4% |
| 5 | Free State | 43.8% |
| 6 | Limpopo | 42.6% |
| 7 | Mpumalanga | 42.6% |
| 8 | Eastern Cape | 41.5% |
More on Free State: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · South Africa
Sources
- Statistics South Africa: General Household Survey 2025 (Statistical release P0318): Tables 2.2 and 14.1 and addendum tables by province (release as archived by DataFirst, UCT), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 69b5db681d83…)
- Department of Basic Education: 2025 National Senior Certificate Examination Report: Tables 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3 and 6.3.8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 786eb1c79f20…)
- National Treasury: Provincial budgets and expenditure, 4th quarter 2025/26 (Section 32 of the PFMA): statement of receipts and payments per province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 87389aabde0c…)
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