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 average for 2024 based on 51 countries was 8.9 percent. The highest value was in Swaziland: 34.4 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.35 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This dataset provides values for YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.439 reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The unemployment rate in Africa was expected to reach seven percent in 2024. In the period under review, unemployment in the continent peaked at 7.2 percent in 2021. Unemployment levels varied significantly across African countries. South Africa was estimated to register the highest rate in 2024 at around 30 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SLUEM1524ZSSSA) from 1991 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, unemployment rate in Southern Africa was estimated at 28.64 percent. The region recorded the highest rate on the African continent, with South Africa having the highest unemployment levels among African countries. Moreover, Northern Africa registered an unemployment rate of 11.15 percent in 2024, while Eastern Africa had the lowest unemployment levels at 4.74 percent. Overall, the continent's average rate was seven percent in the same year.

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.

Around 36 million people were unemployed in Africa as of 2024. The total unemployed population on the continent gradually increased in the period under review. For instance, the number of unemployed individuals amounted to 28.65 million in 2014.

In 2024, around **** percent of the African youth, those aged between 15 and 24 years old, were expected to be unemployed. According to data from the International Labor Organization, this figure has remained stable since 2021. The rate of unemployment among youths in the continent has fluctuated in the period under review, overall slightly dropping in comparison to the share in 2012, the lowest in the period reviewed.

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.

The average for 2023 based on 52 countries was 11.11 percent. The highest value was in Swaziland: 39.35 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.47 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LRUN64MAZAQ156N) from Q3 2000 to Q1 2025 about 15 to 64 years, South Africa, males, unemployment, and rate.

Djibouti registered the highest youth unemployment rate in Africa in 2022. That year, over ** percent of the labor force aged 15 to 24 years was unemployed in the country. Unemployment among youth was also particularly high in South Africa, Eswatini, and Libya which respectively registered an unemployment rate of around ****, ****, and **** percent. In contrast, the lowest youth unemployment levels on the continent were in Niger and Chad.

The average for 2025 based on 7 countries was 19 percent. The highest value was in Sudan: 61.99 percent and the lowest value was in the Seychelles: 3 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2030. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Level - Black or African American (LNU03000006) from Jan 1972 to Jul 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, and USA.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 7.7 percent. The highest value was in Swaziland: 36.1 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.61 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 16-19 Yrs., Black or African American (LNS14000018) from Jan 1972 to Jul 2025 about 16 to 19 years, African-American, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

National estimate unemployment statistics for youth (% of labor force ages 15-24)

Historical dataset showing Sub-Saharan Africa unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNS13000031) from Jan 1972 to Jul 2025 about 20 years +, males, African-American, household survey, unemployment, and USA.