Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Africa

South Africa: Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 165.03 in 2024. ▼ Falling

Latest (2024)
165.03
Change on year
down 6.0%
World rank
19th
of 79 countries
All-time high
232.06
in 2008
All-time low
147.41
in 2022
Years of data
17
2008–2024

Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Africa, 2008–2024

0501001502002502008201620242008: 232.12009: 2152010: 1782011: 1592012: 180.32013: 174.32014: 165.72015: 193.82016: 192.82017: 166.62018: 178.42019: 168.62020: 197.12021: 162.12022: 147.42023: 175.62024: 165

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Africa is 165.03, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.0% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Africa peaked at 232.06 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 147.41, in 2022.

That places South Africa 19th out of 79 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 17 years of available data.

Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29) in South Africa, 2008 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2008 232.06
2009 214.98 -7.4%
2010 177.96 -17.2%
2011 158.99 -10.7%
2012 180.31 +13.4%
2013 174.32 -3.3%
2014 165.69 -5.0%
2015 193.81 +17.0%
2016 192.83 -0.5%
2017 166.57 -13.6%
2018 178.39 +7.1%
2019 168.62 -5.5%
2020 197.12 +16.9%
2021 162.08 -17.8%
2022 147.41 -9.0%
2023 175.64 +19.2%
2024 165.03 -6.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 223.52 214.98 232.06 2
2010s 175.75 158.99 193.81 10
2020s 169.46 147.41 197.12 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 16 Guatemala 265.55 compare
  2. 17 Viet Nam 211.77 compare
  3. 18 Ghana 200.77 compare
  4. 20 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 144.42 compare
  5. 21 Chile 141.4 compare
  6. 22 Germany 123.65 compare

See the full ranking of 79 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Africa?
Youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Africa was 165.03 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 232.06 in 2008.
What is the lowest youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 147.41 in 2022.
How does South Africa rank for youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
South Africa ranks 19th out of 79 countries with data for 2024.
Is youth time-related underemployment (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/youth-time-related-underemployment-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15-29/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Youth time-related underemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
79 places, 1,312 data points, 1996–2025
Last refreshed

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. Persons in time-related underemployment comprise all persons in employment, who satisfy the following three criteria during the reference period: a) are willing to work additional hours; b) are available to work additional hours i.e., are ready, within a specified subsequent period, to work additional hours, given opportunities for additional work; and c) worked less than a threshold relating to working time i.e., persons whose hours actually worked in all jobs during the reference period were below a threshold, to be chosen according to national circumstances. For details, refer to the Resolution concerning the measurement of underemployment and inadequate employment situations. For more information, refer to the Youth Labour Market Indicators (YouthSTATS) database description.