South Africa—Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development IndicatorsGlobal Rank: #2 of 187
Latest Value
32.4%
2025
YoY Change
+0.3%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#2
of 187 countries
Maximum
34.0%
2021
Minimum
22.3%
2007
CAGR
+1.4%
26 years
Last
32.4%
Previous
32.3%
Highest
34.0%
Lowest
22.3%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 32.3% | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 32.1% | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 33.3% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 34.0% | +16.4% |
| 2020 | 29.2% | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 28.5% | +5.8% |
| 2018 | 26.9% | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 27.0% | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 26.5% | +5.5% |
| 2015 | 25.1% | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 24.6% | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 24.7% | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 24.6% | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | +4.9% |
| 2009 | 23.5% | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 22.4% | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 22.3% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 22.3% | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 22.5% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 22.6% | -0.5% |
| 2003 | 22.7% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 22.6% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 22.7% | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 22.8% |
Top Countries — Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 34.2% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.4% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 26.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 24.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 24.4% | 2022 |
| 6 | Gabon | 20.2% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 19.9% | 2025 |
| 8 | Namibia | 19.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.9% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 18.8% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is 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 →