South Africa—Male Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #2 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
31.0%
2025
YoY Change
+1.9%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#2
of 187 countries
Maximum
32.1%
2021
Minimum
19.5%
2007
CAGR
+1.8%
26 years
Last
31.0%
Previous
30.4%
Highest
32.1%
Lowest
19.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's male unemployment (%) was 31.0% in 2025, ranking #2 out of 187 countries. This represents a +1.9% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 32.1% (2021) and the lowest was 19.5% (2007). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 31.0% | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 30.4% | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 30.0% | -4.8% |
| 2022 | 31.5% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 32.1% | +15.8% |
| 2020 | 27.7% | +3.6% |
| 2019 | 26.8% | +6.6% |
| 2018 | 25.1% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 25.2% | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 24.5% | +5.8% |
| 2015 | 23.2% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 23.1% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 22.9% | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 22.8% | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 22.5% | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 22.8% | +4.3% |
| 2009 | 21.9% | +11.3% |
| 2008 | 19.6% | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 19.5% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 19.6% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 19.7% | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 19.8% | -0.6% |
| 2003 | 19.9% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 19.9% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 19.9% | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 20.1% |
Top Countries — Male Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 32.5% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 31.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 21.8% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 21.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 20.2% | 2022 |
| 6 | Namibia | 20.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Congo, Rep. | 18.7% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 16.4% | 2025 |
| 10 | Yemen, Rep. | 16.3% | 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.