Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 31.90 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from 33.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 58.50 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from 62.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LRUN64TTZAQ156S) from Q3 2000 to Q2 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, unemployment, and rate.

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.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Southern Africa was ***** percent. The rate is projected to increase to ***** percent by 2025, which would still represent one of the highest unemployment rates registered from 2010 onwards. The Southern African economy was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, representing the worst affected region in Africa.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Long-Term Unemployment Total: 15 Years or over for South Africa (LFUTLTTTZAQ647S) from Q1 2008 to Q2 2025 about 1 year +, South Africa, persons, and unemployment.

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: Unemployment Rate Total: From 25 to 54 Years for South Africa (LRUN25TTZAQ156N) from Q1 2008 to Q2 2025 about 25 to 54 years, South Africa, unemployment, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for South Africa (SLUEM1524ZSZAF) from 1991 to 2024 about South Africa, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

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.

South Africa ZA: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 14.610 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 11.240 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 9.050 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2017, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.610 % in 2017 and a record low of 6.870 % in 2011. South Africa ZA: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force 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. The percentage of the labor force with an advanced level of education who are unemployed. Advanced education comprises short-cycle tertiary education, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education level, a master’s degree or equivalent education level, or doctoral degree or equivalent education level according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average;

South Africa Unemployment Rate: Male data was reported at 25.100 % in Dec 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 25.900 % for Sep 2018. South Africa Unemployment Rate: Male data is updated quarterly, averaging 23.300 % from Mar 2008 (Median) to Dec 2018, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.000 % in Sep 2017 and a record low of 18.800 % in Dec 2008. South Africa Unemployment Rate: Male 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.G021: Unemployment Rate.

South Africa Unemployment data was reported at 7,990.947 Person th in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8,010.520 Person th for Sep 2024. South Africa Unemployment data is updated quarterly, averaging 5,678.412 Person th from Mar 2008 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 68 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,383.824 Person th in Jun 2024 and a record low of 4,047.887 Person th in Dec 2008. South Africa Unemployment 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.G024: Unemployment. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa Unemployment Youth Female Percent Of Female Labor Force Ages 15 24 National Estimate

South Africa: Unemployment rate for males: The latest value from 2024 is 31.17 percent, an increase from 29.95 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.29 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2024 is 22.71 percent. The minimum value, 19.48 percent, was reached in 2007 while the maximum of 32.06 percent was recorded in 2021.

Quarterly dataset of the South Africa Unemployment Rate, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 2000-09-30 to 2025-09-30. Available for free download in CSV format.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: 15 Years or over for South Africa (LRUNTTTTZAQ156S) from Q3 2000 to Q2 2025 about 15 years +, South Africa, unemployment, and rate.

South Africa: Unemployment rate for females: The latest value from 2024 is 35.42 percent, an increase from 34.53 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 8.08 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2024 is 27.85 percent. The minimum value, 25.45 percent, was reached in 2009 while the maximum of 36.26 percent was recorded in 2021.

Historical dataset showing South Africa unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate in South Africa was 27.2 percent among workers aged 35 to 44 years. The figure decreased from 27.7 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. This age group corresponded to the largest share of the labor force participation in the country. Among young South Africans (15 to 24 years), the unemployment rate was at its highest, at 59.6 percent.