South Africa vs South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)
South Africa
60.1%
in 2024
South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
17.7%
in 2025
South Africa rank
1st
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank
4th
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) over time
- South Africa
- South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 60.1% against 17.7% in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), a difference of 42.4%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 3.4 times South Asia (IDA & IBRD)'s.
Across all 11 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 1st and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 4th of 160 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | South Asia (IDA & IBRD) | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 54.9% | 9.0% | 45.9% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 53.3% | 17.0% | 36.3% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 61.2% | 18.4% | 42.8% | 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), South Africa or South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- South Africa, at 60.1% against 17.7% in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) as of 2024.
- What is the difference in unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) between South Africa and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- 42.4%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- 11 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do South Africa and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank globally for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- South Africa ranks 1st and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 4th 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.
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.