Unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment with intermediate education was 33.9% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO). Measured in % of total labor force with intermediate education.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa is 33.9%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.9% on the previous year and up 35.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa peaked at 35.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 22.9%, in 2008.
That places South Africa 1st out of 130 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total labor force with intermediate education | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 31.2% | — |
| 2001 | 31.9% | +2.1% |
| 2002 | 33.9% | +6.2% |
| 2003 | 32.8% | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 30.6% | -6.8% |
| 2005 | 29.8% | -2.6% |
| 2006 | 28.6% | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 27.0% | -5.6% |
| 2008 | 22.9% | -15.0% |
| 2009 | 24.6% | +7.5% |
| 2010 | 25.8% | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 26.0% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 25.3% | -2.6% |
| 2014 | 25.1% | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 25.8% | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 25.7% | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 27.2% | +5.7% |
| 2018 | 27.8% | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 28.9% | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 29.9% | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 35.3% | +18.2% |
| 2022 | 34.1% | -3.5% |
| 2023 | 33.6% | -1.4% |
| 2024 | 33.9% | +0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.3% | 22.9% | 33.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.4% | 25.1% | 28.9% | 9 |
| 2020s | 33.4% | 29.9% | 35.3% | 5 |
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 unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa?
- Unemployment with intermediate education in South Africa was 33.9% in 2024, according to Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment with intermediate education recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 35.3% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment with intermediate education recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.9% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment with intermediate education?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 130 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment with intermediate education rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment with intermediate education (% of total labor force with intermediate education). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of the labor force with an intermediate level of education who are unemployed. Intermediate education comprises upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).