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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Employment Rate in South Africa decreased to 40.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 41.10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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 Labour Force Participation Rate

• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 60.2 % in Sep 2024, compared with 60.6 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2008 to Sep 2024, with an average rate of 58.3 % .
• 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 60.6 million people in Jun 2022.
• Unemployment Rate of South Africa dropped to 32.1 % in Sep 2024.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 1,466.8 USD in May 2024.

In 2024, the female unemployment rate in Africa was expected to be at 7.8 percent, compared to a male unemployment rate of 6.5 percent. Unemployment levels on the continent have remained higher among women from 2012 onwards. However, the female unemployment rates differed significantly across Africa. Djibouti and South Africa recorded the highest women's unemployment rate in 2022.

القيم الحالية، والبيانات التاريخية، والتنبؤات والإحصاءات والرسوم البيانية والتقويم الاقتصادي - جنوب أفريقيا - معدل البطالة. 2000-2022 معطيات | 2023-2024 التوقعات.

Youth unemployment rates in the G20 were generally highest among people with a basic education. In India, however, youth unemployment was highest among people with an advanced education, which may be down to a lack of positions for people with an advanced education. In South Africa, youth unemployment was highest among people with an intermediate education, with almost half of the youth being unemployed.

Key information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• South Africa Monthly Earnings stood at 1,547 USD in Aug 2024, compared with the previous figure of 1,470 USD in May 2024
• South Africa Monthly Earnings data is updated quarterly, available from Nov 2004 to Aug 2024, with an average number of 1,473 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 1,877 USD in Aug 2011 and a record low of 968 USD in Feb 2009

CEIC converts Monthly Earnings into USD. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal Average Monthly Earnings in local currency based on 2016 Business Sampling Frame. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Monthly Earnings exclude Agriculture sector. Monthly Earnings prior to Q2 2015 are based on 2013 Business Sampling Frame and prior to Q2 2013 are based on 2009 Business Sampling Frame. Monthly Earnings are in quarterly frequency, ending in February, May, August, November of each year.


Further information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, South Africa Population reached 61 million people in Jun 2022
• Unemployment Rate of South Africa dropped to 32 % in Sep 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 60 % in Sep 2024

In most G20 countries, labor force participation was higher among young men than among young women. The two exceptions were South Korea and South Africa. On the other hand, the gap was highest in India, with a difference of ** percentage points, underlining the more traditional role of women in the South Asian country. Meanwhile, South Africa was the G20 member with the highest youth unemployment rate.

As of 2022, the female unemployment rate varied significantly across African countries. Djibouti registered the highest rate, with almost 40 percent of the women in the labor force being unemployed. South Africa and Sudan followed: there, female unemployment reached around 31 percent and 30 percent, respectively. On the other hand, women without a job accounted for only 0.39 percent of the female labor force in Niger.