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South Africa: Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate), 1991–2025
Value in 202532.4
Change since 2015+28.8%25.1 (2015)
World rank2 / 1822025
Rank in region2 / 45Sub-Saharan Africa
World4.8World Bank aggregate
Trend and comparison
Neighbours in the 2025 ranking
34.2
32.4
26.0
24.5
20.2
19.9
Values and rank by year
| Year | Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate) | vs prior year | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4 | +0.3% | 2 / 182 |
| 2024 | 32.3 | +0.6% | 2 / 182 |
| 2023 | 32.1 | -3.5% | 2 / 184 |
| 2022 | 33.3 | -2.2% | 2 / 186 |
| 2021 | 34.0 | +16.4% | 2 / 187 |
| 2020 | 29.2 | +2.6% | 2 / 187 |
| 2019 | 28.5 | +5.8% | 1 / 187 |
| 2018 | 26.9 | -0.5% | 1 / 187 |
| 2017 | 27.0 | +1.9% | 1 / 187 |
| 2016 | 26.5 | +5.5% | 1 / 187 |
| 2015 | 25.1 | +1.0% | 4 / 187 |
| 2014 | 24.9 | +1.3% | 5 / 187 |
| 2013 | 24.6 | -0.7% | 6 / 187 |
| 2012 | 24.7 | +0.4% | 7 / 187 |
| 2011 | 24.6 | -0.2% | 5 / 187 |
| 2010 | 24.7 | +4.9% | 5 / 187 |
| 2009 | 23.5 | +5.0% | 5 / 187 |
| 2008 | 22.4 | +0.7% | 6 / 187 |
| 2007 | 22.3 | -0.2% | 5 / 187 |
| 2006 | 22.3 | -0.7% | 6 / 187 |
| 2005 | 22.5 | -0.4% | 6 / 187 |
| 2004 | 22.6 | -0.5% | 7 / 187 |
| 2003 | 22.7 | +0.4% | 9 / 187 |
| 2002 | 22.6 | -0.3% | 8 / 187 |
| 2001 | 22.7 | -0.6% | 7 / 187 |
| 2000 | 22.8 | -0.4% | 7 / 187 |
| 1999 | 22.9 | +0.6% | 7 / 187 |
| 1998 | 22.7 | +0.8% | 8 / 187 |
| 1997 | 22.5 | +0.2% | 7 / 187 |
| 1996 | 22.5 | -0.9% | 7 / 187 |
| 1995 | 22.7 | -1.6% | 5 / 187 |
| 1994 | 23.1 | -1.3% | 6 / 187 |
| 1993 | 23.4 | -0.4% | 7 / 187 |
| 1992 | 23.5 | +1.4% | 6 / 187 |
| 1991 | 23.1 | – | 4 / 187 |
- Population
- GDP (current US$, billions)
- GDP per capita (current US$)
- GDP growth (annual %)
- Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)
- Life expectancy at birth (years)
- Fertility rate (births per woman)
- Population aged 65 and above (% of total)
- Urban population (% of total)
- Internet users (% of population)
- Surface area (km²)
- Population density (people per km² of land)
- Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Compare South Africa with Japan →
For each indicator and economy the most recent non-empty year is used, so years can differ between countries. Ranks compare only economies that have data. Aggregates (regions, income groups) are excluded from rankings; the world value is shown for reference. Values are as published by the World Bank and are revised several times a year.