Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) vs South Africa: Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)
29.1%
in 2025
South Africa
64.1%
in 2025
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) rank
2nd
South Africa rank
4th
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) over time
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 64.1% against 29.1% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income), a difference of 35.0%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 2.2 times Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)'s.
Across all 35 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 4th of 47 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 (excluding high income) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.4% | 47.9% | 27.4% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 22.2% | 49.4% | 27.2% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 27.1% | 57.3% | 30.2% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 29.9% | 65.6% | 35.7% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24), Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 64.1% against 29.1% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) between Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 35.0%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)?
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 4th of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.