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.

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.

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 Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFUN64MAZAQ647S) from Q3 2000 to Q2 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, and unemployment.

The total population of South Africa amounted to approximately 63.20 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by around 34.12 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by around 5.88 million people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

South Africa ZA: Unemployment Rate: % Change 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 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 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.

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;

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 25 to 54 Years for South Africa (LREM25TTZAQ156S) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about 25 to 54 years, employment-population ratio, South Africa, population, employment, and rate.

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

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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for South Africa (LREM24TTZAA156N) from 2008 to 2024 about employment-population ratio, 15 to 24 years, South Africa, population, employment, and rate.

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.