Employment Rate in South Africa decreased to 40.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 40.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 33.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, the female unemployment rate in the region of Southern Africa stood at around ** percent. The rate among men was lower, at **** 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 **** percent, compared to ***** percent for women.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LREM64TTZAQ156N) from Q3 2000 to Q2 2025 about employment-population ratio, South Africa, 15 to 64 years, population, employment, and rate.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Total: From 55 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFEM55TTZAA647N) from 2008 to 2024 about 55 to 64 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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for South Africa (LREM24TTZAQ156S) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about employment-population ratio, 15 to 24 years, South Africa, population, employment, and rate.

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.

In 2022, the employment rate in South Africa was over 40 percent. Compared to the previous year, the share of employed individuals in the country increased by 0.8 percent. The employment to population ratio fluctuated slightly throughout the period under review, with the peak being in 2017 at 44.7 percent.

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.

In 2023, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate in the world, at 32.1 percent. Of the 10 countries with the highest unemployment rates, six were in Sub-Saharan Africa. What exactly is unemployment? The unemployment rate is the number of people in the workforce currently looking for jobs but not working. This number does not include students and retirees, as they are not looking for work, nor does it include people who have given up on finding a job (known as discouraged workers). Comparing international unemployment rates can be problematic, however, as different countries use different methodologies when classifying unemployment. For example, Niger records the third lowest unemployment rate in the world, despite often being listed as the least developed country worldwide - this is because the majority of the population engage in subsistence farming, with very little opportunity for paid employment. Causes of unemployment in less developed countries A major driver in unemployment in these countries is conflict. In particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs) want to work, but moving to another part of the country disrupts their business network and moves them into a local economy with different labor demand. Countries with low levels of economic development, as roughly indicated by a low GDP per capita, often have fewer labor market opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates.

Over the observed period, the unemployment rate in South Africa has increased, dropping significantly only in the second quarter of 2020. It was continuously higher among women than men, recording approximately 35.8 percent of the total labor force during the second quarter of 2024. The unemployment rate is the percentage of a country's labor force without jobs, and includes those who are available to work and are actively seeking employment.

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 62.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 62.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 27.450 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.725 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 24.900 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2017, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.050 % in 2002 and a record low of 4.386 % in 1994. South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate 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.

As of the second quarter of 2024, nearly 3.83 million people in South Africa worked within the community and social services industry. The sector concentrated the highest number of employees, followed by the trade industry, which employed about 3.36 million people. A struggling labor market The South African labor market faces severe challenges and obstacles. In 2023, the country had the highest unemployment rate in Africa, with almost 30 percent of the labor force being jobless. In addition, only 40 percent of the population was employed in 2021. Indeed, South Africans were the most concerned globally about finding jobs and being unemployed. According to a survey, 64 percent of South African respondents reported being worried about unemployment as of September 2023. A highly unequal country South Africa is the most income-unequal country in the world, as it registered a Gini score of 63 in 2021. The major reasons for this inequality originate from the country’s infamous Apartheid regime and the failure of the job market to provide enough opportunities for its people. For example, the unemployment rate among Black South Africans was close to 37 percent, compared to eight percent for white South Africans. Furthermore, unemployment in the country was more widespread among individuals with a lower level of education. Specifically, in 2023, over 50 percent of the jobless South Africans had an education level lower than matric (grade 12).

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 September of 2025.

Descriptiondata presented as spreadsheet; Provides an overview of the official unemployment rate by narrow definition across all provinces and metros in South Africa since 2008.Artefact TypeDataset (non-spatial)LineageThe data presented is extracted from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) trends as published on https://www.statssa.gov.za/Publication Date13 May 2025Data Sources / LayersQLFS Trends 2008-2025Q1, Stats SA, published 13 May 2025Terms of useNo special restrictions or limitations on using the item's content have been provided Contact PersonElize van der Berg, Department of the Premier, Elize.VanDerBerg@westerncape.gov.za

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 September of 2025.