Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) vs South Africa: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force)

Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)
10.8%
in 2021
South Africa
34.4%
in 2024
Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) rank
5th
South Africa rank
3rd

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) over time

  • Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)
  • South Africa
10203040199520092024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 34.4% against 10.8% in Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income), a difference of 23.6%.

That makes South Africa's figure about 3.2 times Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)'s.

Across all 25 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) ranks 5th and South Africa ranks 3rd of 24 groups.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 9.7% 31.3% 21.6% South Africa
2000s 9.8% 34.6% 24.8% South Africa
2010s 9.6% 28.0% 18.4% South Africa
2020s 10.2% 33.7% 23.5% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unemployment, female (% of female labor force), Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) or South Africa?
South Africa, at 34.4% against 10.8% in Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) as of 2024.
What is the difference in unemployment, female (% of female labor force) between Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa?
23.6%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa?
25 years are reported by both, from 1997 to 2021.
How do Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) ranks 5th and South Africa ranks 3rd of 24 groups.
Where does this data come from?
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) vs South Africa: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force). Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/unemployment-female-percent-of-female-labor-force-national-estimate/europe-and-central-asia-excluding-high-income/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,402 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.