Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) vs South Africa: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force)
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) over time
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD)
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 32.3% against 8.2% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD), a difference of 24.1%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 3.9 times Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD)'s.
Across all 21 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) ranks 4th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 33 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10.5% | 39.5% | 28.9% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 8.9% | 28.4% | 19.5% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 7.7% | 25.5% | 17.8% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 8.2% | 31.6% | 23.5% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, total (% of total labor force), Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 32.3% against 8.2% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) as of 2024.
- What is the difference in unemployment, total (% of total labor force) between Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa?
- 24.1%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa?
- 21 years are reported by both, from 1995 to 2021.
- How do Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) ranks 4th 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.