South Africa—Unemployment Rate (%)
South Africa's unemployment rate was 32.5% in 2026, ranking #2 out of 107 countries. This represents a -0.3% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 34.3% (2021) and the lowest was 22.5% (2008). The IMF WEO projects 31.9% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Line styles separate years at 2026. This date threshold does not establish whether an individual reading is observed, estimated or forecast. Gaps are not interpolated.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 31.9% | -0.3% |
| 2030 | 32.0% | -0.3% |
| 2029 | 32.1% | -0.3% |
| 2028 | 32.2% | -0.6% |
| 2027 | 32.4% | -0.3% |
| 2026 | 32.5% | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 32.4% | -0.6% |
| 2024 | 32.6% | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 32.4% | -3.3% |
| 2022 | 33.5% | -2.3% |
| 2021 | 34.3% | +17.5% |
| 2020 | 29.2% | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 28.7% | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 27.1% | -1.5% |
| 2017 | 27.5% | +3.0% |
| 2016 | 26.7% | +5.1% |
| 2015 | 25.4% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 25.1% | +1.6% |
| 2013 | 24.7% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 24.9% | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 24.8% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 24.9% | +5.1% |
| 2009 | 23.7% | +5.3% |
| 2008 | 22.5% | -2.2% |
| 2007 | 23.0% | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 23.6% | -4.5% |
| 2005 | 24.7% | -2.0% |
| 2004 | 25.2% | -9.0% |
| 2003 | 27.7% | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 27.8% | +6.9% |
| 2001 | 26.0% | +13.0% |
| 2000 | 23.0% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 32.5% | +0.3% |
| 2027Forecast | 32.4% | -0.3% |
| 2028Forecast | 32.2% | -0.6% |
| 2029Forecast | 32.1% | -0.3% |
| 2030Forecast | 32.0% | -0.3% |
| 2031Forecast | 31.9% | -0.3% |
Top Countries — Unemployment Rate (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 61.3% | 2026 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.5% | 2026 |
| 3 | Jordan | 21.3% | 2026 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 15.2% | 2025 |
| 5 | Georgia | 13.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Armenia | 12.8% | 2026 |
| 7 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12.6% | 2026 |
| 8 | Morocco | 12.2% | 2026 |
| 9 | North Macedonia | 11.5% | 2026 |
| 10 | Panama | 10.4% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployed people as a share of the labor force.
Methodology
Most countries follow the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition: unemployed persons are those of working age who are without work, have actively sought work in the past four weeks, and are available to take up work. The labor force includes both employed and unemployed persons. The IMF compiles data from national labor force surveys and administrative records.
Unit
percent of labor force