Female unemployment rate in South Africa
South Africa: Female unemployment rate was 34.0% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Female unemployment rate in South Africa, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 34.0% for female unemployment rate in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.3% on the previous year and up 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female unemployment rate in South Africa peaked at 36.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 25.5%, in 2009.
That places South Africa 4th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Female unemployment rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 27.1% | — |
| 1992 | 27.4% | +1.3% |
| 1993 | 27.3% | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 27.0% | -1.4% |
| 1995 | 26.4% | -2.1% |
| 1996 | 26.1% | -1.3% |
| 1997 | 26.0% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 26.2% | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 26.4% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 26.2% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 26.0% | -0.7% |
| 2002 | 25.9% | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 26.0% | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 25.9% | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 25.8% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 25.6% | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 25.5% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 25.7% | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 25.5% | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 26.9% | +5.7% |
| 2011 | 27.1% | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 27.0% | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 26.5% | -2.0% |
| 2014 | 27.0% | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 27.5% | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 28.9% | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 29.2% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 29.0% | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 30.5% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | 31.0% | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 36.3% | +17.1% |
| 2022 | 35.4% | -2.5% |
| 2023 | 34.6% | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 34.4% | -0.4% |
| 2025 | 34.0% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 26.7% | 26.0% | 27.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 25.8% | 25.5% | 26.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 28.0% | 26.5% | 30.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.3% | 31.0% | 36.3% | 6 |
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 female unemployment rate in South Africa?
- Female unemployment rate in South Africa was 34.0% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female unemployment rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 36.3% in 2021.
- What is the lowest female unemployment rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.5% in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for female unemployment rate?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female unemployment rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.