SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in South Africa
South Africa: SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) was 32.28 in 2024. ▬ Flat
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2024, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in South Africa stood at 32.28.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in South Africa peaked at 34.01 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 22.41, in 2008.
That places South Africa 1st out of 179 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29.88 | — |
| 2001 | 30.69 | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 33.29 | +8.5% |
| 2003 | 32.31 | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 29.45 | -8.8% |
| 2005 | 29.12 | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 28.34 | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 26.54 | -6.4% |
| 2008 | 22.41 | -15.6% |
| 2009 | 23.52 | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 24.68 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 24.64 | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 24.73 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 24.56 | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 24.89 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 25.15 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 26.54 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 27.04 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 26.91 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 28.47 | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 29.22 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 34.01 | +16.4% |
| 2022 | 33.27 | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 32.1 | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 32.28 | +0.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.56 | 22.41 | 33.29 | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.76 | 24.56 | 28.47 | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.17 | 29.22 | 34.01 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 2 Palestine, State of 28.71 compare
- 3 Botswana 24.43 compare
- 4 Guadeloupe 23.8 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 sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in South Africa?
- Sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in South Africa was 32.28 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 34.01 in 2021.
- What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.41 in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition)?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 179 countries with data for 2024.
- Is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Data may differ from nationally reported figures and the Global SDG Indicators Database due to differences in sources and/or reference years. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. For more information, refer to the Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.