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 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.

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 unemployment rate in Southern Africa was ***** percent. The rate is projected to increase to ***** 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.

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

As of March 2025, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate among the 19* countries that are members of the G20. The unemployment rate in South Africa stood at **** percent that year. The country has recently been plagued by an economic downturn, including energy shortages and high unemployment levels. On the other hand, Japan had the lowest unemployment rate at just *** percent. Economic inequality in South Africa Not only does South Africa top the G20 in overall unemployment, but it also has a significant level of youth unemployment, as nearly half of the young population is unemployed. Thirty years after the end of Apartheid, South Africa is also still one of the most unequal countries in the world, with a Gini score of ****. The prominence of inequality in the country makes escaping unemployment and underemployment difficult. Japanese economic slowdown While Japan had the lowest unemployment rate out of all G20 nations, as well as the lowest youth unemployment rate out of the G20 nations, Japan’s economy is still facing many challenges. With an aging population, the total Japanese population is facing a rapid decline, meaning that it will struggle to have enough workers participating in the labor market. Despite this, Japan maintains strict immigration policies, limiting the chances for foreign workers to move to Japan. Moreover, Japan has the second lowest fertility rate out of the G7 nations and one of the lowest fertility rates globally, adding another challenge in addressing population shrinkage.

The unemployment rate in South Africa stands at 32.9 percent according to the latest data from . That reading shows an increase from the level of 31.9 percent in the previous quarter and no change from the level of 32.9 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The unemployment rate...

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.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa was reported at 33.17 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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

OECD Data Filters: REF_AREA: ZAF MEASURE: UNE_LF UNIT_MEASURE: PT_LF_SUB TRANSFORMATION: _Z ADJUSTMENT: Y SEX: _T AGE: Y15T64 ACTIVITY: _Z FREQ: Q

All OECD data should be cited as follows: OECD (year), (dataset name), (data source) DOI or https://data-explorer.oecd.org/ (https://data-explorer.oecd.org/). (accessed on (date)).

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Western Africa was **** percent. In the period under review, unemployment in the region has risen more rapidly from 2016 to 2021, when it peaked at approximately seven percent. However, by 2025, the rate is projected to decrease to **** percent.

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.

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

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa was reported at 35.42 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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.

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.

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 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 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.