Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group was 39.18 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2025. ▲ Rising
Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa, 2010–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa is 39.18 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 7.6% on the previous year and up 37.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa peaked at 42.4 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2024 and was at its lowest, 28.47 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup, in 2015.
South Africa ranks 1st of 37 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 14 years of available data.
Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 29.28 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | — |
| 2011 | 29.86 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 29.56 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 29.14 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 30.12 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 28.47 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -5.5% |
| 2016 | 31.74 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +11.5% |
| 2017 | 33.12 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 33.51 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 35.5 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +6.0% |
| 2020 | 36.83 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 37 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 42.4 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | +14.6% |
| 2025 | 39.18 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | -7.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 39.18 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6.8 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup, 5.8× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 31.03 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 28.47 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 35.5 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.85 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 36.83 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 42.4 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Türkiye 10.11 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 1 Croatia 6.99 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 2 Estonia 7.26 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 2 Greece 12.26 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 3 Latvia 6.83 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 3 Spain 11.54 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup compare
- 4 Colombia 11.48 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup 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 rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa?
- Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group in South Africa was 39.18 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 42.4 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2024.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.47 Percentage of labour force in the same subgroup in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 37 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployment rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group and gender. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This dataset contains data on unemployment rates by educational attainment level, age group and gender. The default table displays 2025 data (or the latest available year) on the unemployment rates of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary, upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary, or tertiary attainment. The selection can be changed to display data by more detailed educational attainment level, by programme orientation, by gender and by age group. Filter the time period to display historical data. Data for the latest available year are preliminary. Final data will be released on September 29, 2026. For more information, please consult the Education at a Glance web page and the OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics: Concepts, Standards, Definitions and Classifications.