South Africa—Female Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #4 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
34.0%
2025
YoY Change
-1.3%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#4
of 187 countries
Maximum
36.3%
2021
Minimum
25.5%
2009
CAGR
+1.0%
26 years
Last
34.0%
Previous
34.4%
Highest
36.3%
Lowest
25.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's female unemployment (%) was 34.0% in 2025, ranking #4 out of 187 countries. This represents a -1.3% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 36.3% (2021) and the lowest was 25.5% (2009). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34.0% | -1.3% |
| 2024 | 34.4% | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 34.6% | -2.3% |
| 2022 | 35.4% | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 36.3% | +17.1% |
| 2020 | 31.0% | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 30.5% | +5.0% |
| 2018 | 29.0% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 29.2% | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 28.9% | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 27.5% | +1.9% |
| 2014 | 27.0% | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 26.5% | -2.0% |
| 2012 | 27.0% | -0.5% |
| 2011 | 27.1% | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 26.9% | +5.7% |
| 2009 | 25.5% | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 25.7% | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 25.5% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 25.6% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 25.8% | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 25.9% | -0.6% |
| 2003 | 26.0% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 25.9% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 26.0% | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 26.2% |
Top Countries — Female Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bank and Gaza | 40.0% | 2022 |
| 2 | Eswatini | 36.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 35.4% | 2025 |
| 4 | South Africa | 34.0% | 2025 |
| 5 | Yemen, Rep. | 30.3% | 2025 |
| 6 | Iraq | 30.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | Gabon | 28.6% | 2025 |
| 8 | Botswana | 27.9% | 2025 |
| 9 | Syrian Arab Republic | 26.1% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 25.2% | 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.