Botswana vs South Africa: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)

Botswana
45.2%
in 2024
South Africa
60.1%
in 2024
Botswana rank
2nd
South Africa rank
1st

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) over time

  • Botswana
  • South Africa
0204060198520042024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 60.1% against 45.2% in Botswana, a difference of 14.9%.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.3 times Botswana's.

Across all 11 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Botswana ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 160 countries.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Botswana South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 35.2% 53.0% 17.8% South Africa
2010s 38.1% 52.8% 14.7% South Africa
2020s 44.4% 61.2% 16.9% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24), Botswana or South Africa?
South Africa, at 60.1% against 45.2% in Botswana as of 2024.
What is the difference in unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) between Botswana and South Africa?
14.9%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and South Africa?
11 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2024.
How do Botswana and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
Botswana ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 160 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Botswana vs South Africa: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24). Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/unemployment-youth-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/botswana/south-africa/

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<a href="https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/unemployment-youth-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/botswana/south-africa/">Botswana vs South Africa: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
189 places, 4,166 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.