Employment Rate in South Africa decreased to 40.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 41.10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The labor force participation rate for males in South Africa saw no significant changes in 2024 in comparison to the previous year 2023 and remained at around 64.5 percent. In comparison to 2023, the rate decreased not significantly by 0.1 percentage points (-0.15 percent). Male labor force participation is the share of men over 15 years who are economically active. For example, all men providing labor in a specific period for the production of goods and services.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as youth unemployment rate, labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64, and female labor force participation rate.

The unemployment rate in South Africa increased by 1.1 percentage points (+3.43 percent) in 2024 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the unemployment rate amounted to 33.17 percent in 2024. This increase was preceded by a declining unemployment rate.The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as gross tertiary enrollment ratio, youth literacy rate (people aged 15-24), and Gender Parity Index (GPI) in youth literacy.

Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in South Africa increased by 1.2 percentage points (+2.01 percent) compared to 2023. In total, the youth unemployment rate amounted to 60.89 percent in 2024. This increase was preceded by a declining youth unemployment rate.The youth unemployment rate of a country or region refers to the share of the total workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently without work, but actively searching for employment. It does not include economically inactive persons such as full-time students or the long-term unemployed.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64, labor force participation rate for males, and female labor force participation rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFEM64MAZAQ647S) from Q3 2000 to Q1 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, and employment.

The annual population growth in South Africa declined to 1.33 percent in 2023. Nevertheless, the last two years recorded a significantly higher population growth than the preceding years.Population growth refers to the annual change in population, and is based on the balance between birth and death rates, as well as migration.Find more key insights for the annual population growth in countries like Botswana and Swaziland.

In the second quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate among Black South Africans was 36.9 percent, marking a year-on-year change of 0.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2023. On the other hand, the unemployment rate among white South Africans was 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2024, with a 0.5 percent year-on-year change. Unemployment prevalent among youth and women The unemployment rate is the share of the labor force population that is unemployed, while the labor force includes individuals who are employed as well as those who are unemployed but looking for work. South Africa is struggling to absorb its youth into the job market. For instance, the unemployment rate among young South Africans aged 15-24 years reached a staggering 60.7 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Furthermore, women had higher unemployment rates than men. Since the start of 2016, the unemployment rate of women has been consistently more than that of men, reaching close to 36 percent compared to 30 percent, respectively. A new minimum wage and most paying jobs      In South Africa, a new minimum hourly wage went into effect on March 1, 2022. The minimum salary reached 23.19 South African rand per hour (1.44 U.S. dollars per hour), up from 21.69 South African rand per hour (1.35 U.S. dollars per hour) in 2021. In addition, the preponderance of employed South Africans worked between 40 and 45 hours weekly in 2021. Individuals holding Executive Management and Change Management jobs were the highest paid in the country, with salaries averaging 74,000 U.S. dollars per year.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 25 to 54 Years for South Africa (LREM25TTZAA156S) from 2008 to 2024 about 25 to 54 years, South Africa, employment-population ratio, employment, population, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Total: From 25 to 54 Years for South Africa (LFEM25TTZAQ647N) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about 25 to 54 years, South Africa, and employment.

South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -3.610 % in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.755 % for Dec 2017. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.205 % from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 81 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.748 % in Dec 2001 and a record low of -17.228 % in Dec 2006. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Quarterly.

In 2024, the female unemployment rate in the region of Southern Africa stood at around 29 percent. The rate among men was lower, at 25.7 percent. The projection for 2025 showed a similar trend, although the overall unemployment rate would increase. In 2025, male unemployment in the region would be 26.1 percent, compared to 29.35 percent for women.

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa was reported at 18.79 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data was reported at 2.713 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.424 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data is updated yearly, averaging 2.713 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2017, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 365.948 % in 1998 and a record low of -11.198 % in 2006. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 62.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 59.60 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The unemployment rate in South Africa stood at 33.17 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the unemployment rate rose by 10.17 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Self-employed, total (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa was reported at 16.31 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Self-employed; total (% of total employed) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around ** percent of the country's labor force being unemployed. Djibouti and Eswatini followed, with unemployment reaching roughly ** percent and ** percent, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates in Africa were in Niger and Burundi. The continent’s average stood at roughly ***** percent in the same year. Large shares of youth among the unemployed Due to several educational, socio-demographic, and economic factors, the young population is more likely to face unemployment in most regions of the world. In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Africa was projected at around ** percent. The situation was particularly critical in certain countries. In 2022, Djibouti recorded a youth unemployment rate of almost ** percent, the highest rate on the continent. South Africa followed, with around ** percent of the young labor force being unemployed. Wide disparities in female unemployment Women are another demographic group often facing high unemployment. In Africa, the female unemployment rate stood at roughly ***** percent in 2023, compared to *** percent among men. The average female unemployment on the continent was not particularly high. However, there were significant disparities among African countries. Djibouti and South Africa topped the ranking once again in 2022, with female unemployment rates of around ** percent and ** percent, respectively. In contrast, Niger, Burundi, and Chad were far below Africa’s average, as only roughly *** percent or lower of the women in the labor force were unemployed.

South Africa Employment: Labour Force Survey: Non Agricultural: Formal: Manufacturing data was reported at 1,616.846 Person th in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,548.067 Person th for Dec 2017. South Africa Employment: Labour Force Survey: Non Agricultural: Formal: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,598.702 Person th from Mar 2008 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,853.621 Person th in Jun 2008 and a record low of 1,456.312 Person th in Mar 2016. South Africa Employment: Labour Force Survey: Non Agricultural: Formal: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G009: Employment: by Industry.

South Africa ZA: Informal Employment: % of Total Non-Agricultural Employment data was reported at 34.470 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 34.250 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Informal Employment: % of Total Non-Agricultural Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 33.655 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2017, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.130 % in 2008 and a record low of 31.680 % in 2012. South Africa ZA: Informal Employment: % of Total Non-Agricultural Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment in the informal economy as a percentage of total non-agricultural employment. It basically includes all jobs in unregistered and/or small-scale private unincorporated enterprises that produce goods or services meant for sale or barter. Self-employed street vendors, taxi drivers and home-base workers, regardless of size, are all considered enterprises. However, agricultural and related activities, households producing goods exclusively for their own use (e.g. subsistence farming, domestic housework, care work, and employment of paid domestic workers), and volunteer services rendered to the community are excluded.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; ; Harmonized series