Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) was 63.8% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
South Africa recorded 63.8% for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa peaked at 70.1% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 50.3%, in 2008.
That places South Africa 1st out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 58.9% | — |
| 2001 | 60.7% | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 65.8% | +8.5% |
| 2003 | 66.5% | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 63.9% | -3.8% |
| 2005 | 64.0% | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 61.9% | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 59.7% | -3.6% |
| 2008 | 50.3% | -15.7% |
| 2009 | 52.3% | +4.1% |
| 2010 | 55.0% | +5.1% |
| 2011 | 55.0% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 56.7% | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 55.5% | -2.0% |
| 2014 | 55.3% | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 54.9% | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 59.3% | +8.0% |
| 2017 | 58.5% | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 58.7% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 61.7% | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 64.1% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 70.1% | +9.4% |
| 2022 | 65.8% | -6.2% |
| 2023 | 63.9% | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 63.8% | -0.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 63.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 20.6%, 3.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 63.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 11.5%, 5.6× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 60.4% | 50.3% | 66.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 57.1% | 54.9% | 61.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 65.5% | 63.8% | 70.1% | 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, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa?
- Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in South Africa was 63.8% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 70.1% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.3% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- 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, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.