LU2: Combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa
South Africa: LU2: Combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment was 35.5 in 2024. ▲ Rising
LU2: Combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa, 2008–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa is 35.5, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 25.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa peaked at 38.34 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 26.6, in 2008.
South Africa ranks 1st of 90 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 16 years of available data.
LU2: Combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 26.6 | — |
| 2009 | 27.87 | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 28.38 | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 27.98 | -1.4% |
| 2013 | 28.25 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 28.37 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 28.99 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 30.35 | +4.7% |
| 2017 | 30.8 | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 30.65 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 32.19 | +5.0% |
| 2020 | 34.26 | +6.4% |
| 2021 | 38.34 | +11.9% |
| 2022 | 36.72 | -4.2% |
| 2023 | 35.38 | -3.6% |
| 2024 | 35.5 | +0.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 35.5 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.3, 3.4× the median. (30 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 35.5 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.49, 3.7× the median. (12 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 27.23 | 26.6 | 27.87 | 2 |
| 2010s | 29.55 | 27.98 | 32.19 | 9 |
| 2020s | 36.04 | 34.26 | 38.34 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa?
- Lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment in South Africa was 35.5 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 38.34 in 2021.
- What is the lowest lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.6 in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 90 countries with data for 2024.
- Is lu2: combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU2: Combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. LU2 represents the share of the labour force that are either in unemployment or time-related underemployment. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.