Arab World vs South Africa: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force)
Arab World
9.7%
in 2016
South Africa
32.3%
in 2024
Arab World rank
2nd
South Africa rank
2nd
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) over time
- Arab World
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 32.3% against 9.7% in Arab World, a difference of 22.6%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 3.3 times Arab World's.
Across all 10 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Arab World ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 2nd of 33 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Arab World | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.2% | 26.0% | 15.8% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 10.5% | 25.1% | 14.6% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, total (% of total labor force), Arab World or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 32.3% against 9.7% in Arab World as of 2024.
- What is the difference in unemployment, total (% of total labor force) between Arab World and South Africa?
- 22.6%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Arab World and South Africa?
- 10 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2016.
- How do Arab World and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Arab World ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 2nd of 33 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
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.