Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 31.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 32.10 percent in the third quarter of 2024. 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.

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around 30 percent of the country's labor force being unemployed. Djibouti and Eswatini followed, with unemployment reaching roughly 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates in Africa were in Niger and Burundi. The continent’s average stood at roughly seven 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 11 percent. The situation was particularly critical in certain countries. In 2022, Djibouti recorded a youth unemployment rate of almost 80 percent, the highest rate on the continent. South Africa followed, with around 52 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 eight percent in 2023, compared to 6.6 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 38 percent and 31 percent, respectively. In contrast, Niger, Burundi, and Chad were far below Africa’s average, as only roughly one percent or lower of the women in the labor force were unemployed.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LRUN64TTZAA156S) from 2000 to 2024 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, 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.

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 59.60 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 60.20 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Southern Africa was 27.24 percent. The rate is projected to increase to 27.62 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.

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate in South Africa stood at 32.1 percent. The majority of unemployed individuals had an education level below matric (grade 12), while those that had finished their matric year represented around 34 percent. Graduates had the lowest share of unemployment at approximately 10 percent.

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 Q4 2024 about 25 to 54 years, South Africa, unemployment, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for South Africa (LRUN24TTZAQ156N) from Q1 2008 to Q4 2024 about 15 to 24 years, South Africa, unemployment, and rate.

In 2023, the youth unemployment rate in South Africa remained nearly unchanged at around 49.14 percent. Still, 2023 marked the second consecutive decline of the youth unemployment rate. The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without work but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64, labor force participation rate for males, and female labor force participation rate.

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.

In 2024, the female unemployment rate in the region of Southern Africa stood at around 29 percent. The rate among men was lower, at 25.7 percent. The projection for 2025 showed a similar trend, although the overall unemployment rate would increase. In 2025, male unemployment in the region would be 26.1 percent, compared to 29.35 percent for women.

Key information about South Africa Unemployment Rate

• South Africa Unemployment Rate dropped to 32.10% in Sep 2024, from the previously reported figure of 33.50% in Jun 2024.
• South Africa Unemployment Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2008 to Sep 2024, 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 60.60 million people in Jun 2022.

The unemployment rate in South Africa declined to 27.99 percent in 2023. Nevertheless, the last two years recorded a significantly higher unemployment rate than the preceding years.The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as gross tertiary enrollment ratio, youth literacy rate (people aged 15-24), and Gender Parity Index (GPI) in youth literacy.

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.

Employment Rate in South Africa increased to 41.10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 40.90 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Description: data presented as spreadsheet; Provides an overview of the official unemployment rate by narrow definition across all provinces and metros in South Africa since 2008.Linage: The 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 Date: 14 May 2024Data Sources: QLFS Trends 2008-2024Q1, Stats SA, published ‎14 ‎May ‎2024Contact Person: Elize van der Berg, Department of the Premier, Elize.VanDerBerg@westerncape.gov.za