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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Black or African American (LNS14000006) from Jan 1972 to Sep 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

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.

South Africa - Unemployment Rate Ages 15-64 - Historical chart and current data through 2025.

The unemployment rate in South Africa stands at 33.2 percent according to the latest data from . That reading shows an increase from the level of 32.9 percent in the previous quarter and a decrease from the level of 33.5 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The unemployment rate...

south africa - Youth Unemployment Rate for South Africa was 60.89% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, south africa - Youth Unemployment Rate for South Africa reached a record high of 64.65 in January of 2021 and a record low of 58.59 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for south africa - Youth Unemployment Rate for South Africa - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

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.

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.

Key information about South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate

• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 59.7 % in Sep 2025, compared with 60.2 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2008 to Sep 2025, with an average rate of 59.2 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 60.7 % in Mar 2024 and a record low of 47.3 % in Jun 2020.
• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by Statistics South Africa.
• In the latest reports, South Africa Population reached 63.1 million people in Jun 2025.
• Unemployment Rate of South Africa dropped to 31.9 % in Sep 2025.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 1,589.0 USD in May 2025.

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;

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa was reported at 33.17 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.