Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) vs South Africa: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)
Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)
21.2%
in 2021
South Africa
60.1%
in 2024
Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) rank
1st
South Africa rank
1st
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) over time
- Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 60.1% against 21.2% in Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income), a difference of 38.9%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 2.8 times Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)'s.
Across all 15 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) ranks 1st and South Africa ranks 1st of 29 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19.7% | 53.8% | 34.0% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 20.3% | 52.3% | 32.0% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 20.6% | 62.3% | 41.7% | 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), Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 60.1% against 21.2% in Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) as of 2024.
- What is the difference in unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) between Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 38.9%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 15 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2021.
- How do Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income) ranks 1st and South Africa ranks 1st of 29 groups.
- 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.
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. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.