LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa

Southern Africa: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization was 44.74 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
44.74
Change on year
up 0.3%
Rank
1st
of 87 groups
All-time high
47.34
in 2021
All-time low
33.23
in 2007
Years of data
23
2005–2027

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa, 2005–2027

010203040502005201620272005: 33.72006: 33.42007: 33.22008: 33.32009: 35.72010: 37.82011: 37.72012: 37.72013: 37.52014: 37.42015: 37.42016: 38.72017: 38.92018: 39.52019: 40.82020: 44.82021: 47.32022: 45.62023: 43.52024: 43.82025: 44.52026: 44.62027: 44.7

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa is 44.74, measured in 2027.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 14.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa peaked at 47.34 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 33.23, in 2007.

Southern Africa ranks 1st of 87 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa, year by year

Annual values for LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in Southern Africa, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 33.7
2006 33.36 -1.0%
2007 33.23 -0.4%
2008 33.33 +0.3%
2009 35.73 +7.2%
2010 37.8 +5.8%
2011 37.65 -0.4%
2012 37.71 +0.1%
2013 37.55 -0.4%
2014 37.4 -0.4%
2015 37.41 +0.0%
2016 38.67 +3.4%
2017 38.94 +0.7%
2018 39.46 +1.3%
2019 40.76 +3.3%
2020 44.82 +10.0%
2021 47.34 +5.6%
2022 45.59 -3.7%
2023 43.49 -4.6%
2024 43.79 +0.7%
2025 44.51 +1.7%
2026 44.62 +0.2%
2027 44.74 +0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 33.87 33.23 35.73 5
2010s 38.33 37.4 40.76 10
2020s 44.86 43.49 47.34 8

More work & labour data for Southern Africa

All data for Southern Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa?
Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa was 44.74 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in Southern Africa?
The highest recorded value was 47.34 in 2021.
What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in Southern Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 33.23 in 2007.
How does Southern Africa rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization?
Southern Africa ranks 1st out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization rising or falling in Southern Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 14.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Southern Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in Southern Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-rate-of-labour-underutilization-ilo-modelled-estimates/southern-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,001 data points, 2005–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.