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.

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 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LRUN64TTZAQ156S) from Q3 2000 to Q2 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, unemployment, and rate.

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.

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.

Unemployment by age and duration (seasonally adjusted). These estimates are sourced from the Labour Force Survey, a survey of households. These are official statistics in development.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over (LNS14000024) from Jan 1948 to Sep 2025 about 20 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

The youth unemployment rate in South Africa amounted to 60.89 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 18.22 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

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.

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.

Key information about South Africa Unemployment Rate

• South Africa Unemployment Rate dropped to 31.90% in Sep 2025, from the previously reported figure of 33.20% in Jun 2025.
• South Africa Unemployment Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2008 to Sep 2025, with an average rate of 26.50%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 35.30% in Dec 2021 and a record low of 21.50% in Dec 2008.
• The data is reported by reported by Statistics South Africa.
• In the latest reports, South Africa Population reached 63.10 million people in Jun 2025.

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 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.

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.

Employment Rate in South Africa increased to 40.70 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from 40.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The number of unemployed persons in South Africa decreased to 8007 Thousand in the third quarter of 2025 from 8367 Thousand in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

South Africa Unemployment Rate: Female data was reported at 29.500 % in Dec 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 29.400 % for Sep 2018. South Africa Unemployment Rate: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 27.450 % from Mar 2008 (Median) to Dec 2018, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.800 % in Sep 2017 and a record low of 24.900 % in Dec 2008. South Africa Unemployment Rate: Female 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.

Employment, unemployment and economic inactivity levels and rates by age group, UK, rolling three-monthly figures, seasonally adjusted. Labour Force Survey. These are official statistics in development.

Saudi Arabia SA: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 5.645 % in Jun 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.591 % for Dec 2015. Saudi Arabia SA: Unemployment Rate data is updated quarterly, averaging 5.630 % from Mar 2007 (Median) to Jun 2016, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.000 % in Mar 2014 and a record low of 4.992 % in Mar 2008. Saudi Arabia SA: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Quarterly.