High income vs South Africa: Unemployment with basic education

High income
9.6%
in 2024
South Africa
39.3%
in 2024
High income rank
7th
South Africa rank
2nd

Unemployment with basic education over time

  • High income
  • South Africa
10203040200020122024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 39.3% against 9.6% in High income, a difference of 29.7%.

That makes South Africa's figure about 4.1 times High income's.

Across all 24 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

High income ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 20 groups.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade High income South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 13.1% 33.2% 20.1% South Africa
2010s 14.1% 32.4% 18.2% South Africa
2020s 10.6% 39.2% 28.6% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unemployment with basic education, High income or South Africa?
South Africa, at 39.3% against 9.6% in High income as of 2024.
What is the difference in unemployment with basic education between High income and South Africa?
29.7%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for High income and South Africa?
24 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
How do High income and South Africa rank globally for unemployment with basic education?
High income ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 20 groups.
Where does this data come from?
Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment with basic education (% of total labor force with basic education). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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High income vs South Africa: Unemployment with basic education. Statizoid, drawing on Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/unemployment-with-basic-education-percent-of-total-labor-force-with-basic-education/high-income/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment with basic education (% of total labor force with basic education)
Unit
% of total labor force with basic education
Source
Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
150 places, 2,716 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of the labor force with a basic level of education who are unemployed. Basic education comprises primary education or lower secondary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).