Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS was 32.3% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
32.3%
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
1st
of 189 countries
All-time high
34.0%
in 2021
All-time low
22.4%
in 2008
Years of data
25
2000–2024
Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in South Africa is 32.3%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in South Africa peaked at 34.0% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 22.4%, in 2008.
That places South Africa 1st out of 189 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29.9% | — |
| 2001 | 30.7% | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 33.3% | +8.5% |
| 2003 | 32.3% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 29.4% | -8.9% |
| 2005 | 29.1% | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 28.3% | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 26.5% | -6.4% |
| 2008 | 22.4% | -15.6% |
| 2009 | 23.5% | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 24.6% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 24.7% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 24.6% | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 25.1% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 26.5% | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 27.0% | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 26.9% | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 28.5% | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 29.2% | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 34.0% | +16.4% |
| 2022 | 33.3% | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 32.1% | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 32.3% | +0.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 32.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.5%, 5.8× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 32.3% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.4%, 5.9× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.6% | 22.4% | 33.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.8% | 24.6% | 28.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.2% | 29.2% | 34.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 2 State of Palestine 31.4% compare
- 3 Botswana 24.4% 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 unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in South Africa?
- Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in South Africa was 32.3% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 34.0% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.4% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 189 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls 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 United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).