Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.90 percent in the fourth 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.

The unemployment rate in South Africa increased by 1.1 percentage points (+3.43 percent) in 2024 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the unemployment rate amounted to 33.17 percent in 2024. This increase was preceded by a declining unemployment rate.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.

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 62.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 59.60 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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 Q1 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, and unemployment.

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.

In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in South Africa increased by 1.2 percentage points (+2.01 percent) compared to 2023. In total, the youth unemployment rate amounted to 60.89 percent in 2024. This increase was preceded by a declining youth unemployment rate.The youth unemployment rate of a country or region refers to the share of the total workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently without work, but actively searching for employment. It does not include economically inactive persons such as full-time students or the long-term unemployed.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.

Historical chart and dataset showing South Africa youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

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 Q1 2025 about 15 to 24 years, South Africa, unemployment, and rate.

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.

South Africa: Unemployment rate forecast: The latest value from 2030 is 31.41 percent, a decline from 31.81 percent in 2029. In comparison, the world average is 6.28 percent, based on data from 100 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1980 to 2030 is 23.83 percent. The minimum value, 9.24 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 34.3 percent was recorded in 2021.

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: 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: 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.

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.

The number of unemployed persons in South Africa increased to 8228 Thousand in the first quarter of 2025 from 7991 Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Long-Term Unemployment Total: 15 Years or over for South Africa (LFUTLTTTZAQ647N) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about 1 year +, South Africa, unemployment, and persons.

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 - Unemployment Rate Ages 15-64: 25 years of historical data from 2000 to 2025.