Eswatini vs South Africa: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force)

Eswatini
31.8%
in 2023
South Africa
30.4%
in 2024
Eswatini rank
1st
South Africa rank
2nd

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

  • Eswatini
  • South Africa
010203040199520092024

How they compare

Eswatini currently reports 31.8% against 30.4% in South Africa, a difference of 1.4%.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 5 shared years of data; in 1997 it was South Africa ahead.

Eswatini ranks 1st and South Africa ranks 2nd of 181 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Eswatini averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Eswatini South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 20.0% 36.1% 16.1% South Africa
2000s 25.7% 21.5% 4.2% Eswatini
2010s 21.0% 24.5% 3.5% South Africa
2020s 32.2% 31.1% 1.1% Eswatini

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unemployment, male (% of male labor force), Eswatini or South Africa?
Eswatini, at 31.8% against 30.4% in South Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in unemployment, male (% of male labor force) between Eswatini and South Africa?
1.4%, with Eswatini ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Eswatini and South Africa?
5 years are reported by both, from 1997 to 2023.
How do Eswatini and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Eswatini ranks 1st and South Africa ranks 2nd of 181 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Eswatini vs South Africa: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force). Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/eswatini/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male 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, 5,415 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.