South Africa—Youth Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development IndicatorsGlobal Rank: #2 of 187
Latest Value
59.9%
2025
YoY Change
-0.5%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#2
of 187 countries
Maximum
65.5%
2021
Minimum
43.2%
2000
CAGR
+1.3%
26 years
Last
59.9%
Previous
60.2%
Highest
65.5%
Lowest
43.2%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59.9% | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 60.2% | -0.0% |
| 2023 | 60.3% | -2.3% |
| 2022 | 61.7% | -5.8% |
| 2021 | 65.5% | +9.8% |
| 2020 | 59.6% | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 57.3% | +6.9% |
| 2018 | 53.6% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 53.4% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 53.5% | +6.7% |
| 2015 | 50.1% | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 51.2% | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 51.2% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 51.3% | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 49.7% | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 50.5% | +6.3% |
| 2009 | 47.5% | +6.5% |
| 2008 | 44.6% | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 44.0% | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 43.9% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 43.9% | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 43.9% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 43.8% | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 43.4% | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 43.2% | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 43.2% |
Top Countries — Youth Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Djibouti | 76.8% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 59.9% | 2025 |
| 3 | Eswatini | 54.3% | 2025 |
| 4 | Libya | 50.1% | 2025 |
| 5 | Botswana | 46.0% | 2025 |
| 6 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 41.9% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 40.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Jordan | 38.9% | 2025 |
| 9 | Tunisia | 38.1% | 2025 |
| 10 | Namibia | 38.0% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.
Source: World Bank - World Development IndicatorsView original source →