Incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa
South Africa: Incidence of unemployment by duration was 11.78 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2025. ▲ Rising
Incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa, 2001–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of population in the same subgroup.
Analysis
The most recent figure for incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa is 11.78 Percentage of population in the same subgroup, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 7.4% on the previous year and down 34.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa peaked at 18.57 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2008 and was at its lowest, 8.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup, in 2001.
That places South Africa 33rd out of 38 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
Incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Percentage of population in the same subgroup | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | — |
| 2002 | 8.31 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 8.92 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +7.4% |
| 2004 | 9.34 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 10.23 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +9.6% |
| 2006 | 10.95 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +7.1% |
| 2007 | 12.56 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +14.7% |
| 2008 | 18.57 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +47.8% |
| 2009 | 17.62 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 15.02 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -14.8% |
| 2011 | 14.01 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -6.7% |
| 2012 | 15.19 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +8.4% |
| 2013 | 15.97 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 16.36 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 17.98 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +9.9% |
| 2016 | 15.49 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -13.9% |
| 2017 | 14.77 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 14.74 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 13.5 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -8.4% |
| 2020 | 11.6 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -14.1% |
| 2021 | 9.95 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -14.2% |
| 2022 | 12.32 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +23.9% |
| 2023 | 12.99 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +5.5% |
| 2024 | 12.72 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -2.1% |
| 2025 | 11.78 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -7.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.64 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 8.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 18.57 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 9 |
| 2010s | 15.3 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 13.5 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 17.98 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.89 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 9.95 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 12.99 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 30 Sweden 16.22 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
- 31 Bulgaria 14.71 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
- 32 Romania 14.36 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
- 34 Hungary 11.75 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
- 35 Peru 9.57 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
- 36 Greece 9.53 Percentage of population in the same subgroup compare
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa?
- Incidence of unemployment by duration in South Africa was 11.78 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest incidence of unemployment by duration recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.57 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2008.
- What is the lowest incidence of unemployment by duration recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for incidence of unemployment by duration?
- South Africa ranks 33rd out of 38 countries with data for 2025.
- Is incidence of unemployment by duration rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Incidence of unemployment by duration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This table contains data on the share of the five durations - less than 1 month,>1 month and < 3 months,>3 months and <6 months,>6 months and <1 year, 1 year and over - of unemployment among total unemployment by sex and by standardised age groups (15-19, 15-24, 20-24, 25-54, 55+, total). Detailed notes and sources can be found in LFS_NOTES_SOURCES. In order to facilitate analysis and comparisons over time, historical data for OECD members have been provided over as long a period as possible, often even before a country became a member of the Organisation. Information on the membership dates of all OECD countries can be found at OECD Ratification Dates.