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

Namibia
21.1%
in 2018
South Africa
30.4%
in 2024
Namibia rank
5th
South Africa rank
2nd

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

  • Namibia
  • South Africa
010203040199120072024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 30.4% against 21.1% in Namibia, a difference of 9.3%.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.4 times Namibia's.

The two have swapped places 4 times across 11 shared years of data; in 1997 it was South Africa ahead.

Namibia ranks 5th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 181 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Namibia averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Namibia South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 18.2% 36.1% 17.9% South Africa
2000s 24.5% 23.9% 0.5% Namibia
2010s 18.7% 23.6% 4.9% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unemployment, male (% of male labor force), Namibia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 30.4% against 21.1% in Namibia as of 2024.
What is the difference in unemployment, male (% of male labor force) between Namibia and South Africa?
9.3%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Namibia and South Africa?
11 years are reported by both, from 1997 to 2018.
How do Namibia and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Namibia ranks 5th 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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Namibia 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/namibia/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.