Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 32.3% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa, 1995–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2024, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa stood at 32.3%.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa peaked at 43.8% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 22.4%, in 2008.
South Africa ranks 2nd of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 29 years of available data.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 43.8% | — |
| 1997 | 35.1% | -19.8% |
| 1998 | 25.0% | -28.8% |
| 1999 | 25.4% | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 29.9% | +17.8% |
| 2001 | 30.7% | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 33.3% | +8.5% |
| 2003 | 32.3% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 29.5% | -8.8% |
| 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% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.3% | 25.0% | 43.8% | 4 |
| 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
- 1 Eswatini 34.3% compare
- 3 Palestine, State of 28.7% compare
- 4 Botswana 24.4% compare
- 5 French Polynesia 21.8% 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, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in South Africa was 32.3% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 1995.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.4% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 187 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 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 falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.