South Africa Unemployment Rate
Share of the labour force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.39 percent in 2025 from 32.28 percent in 2024.
South Africa Unemployment Rate — History
Drag or pinch to zoom. Dashed line: IMF World Economic Outlook projection. Other sources can be switched on in the legend.
South Africa Unemployment Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.39 percent in 2025 from 32.28 percent in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 32.3%, so the latest figure is 0.1 percentage points higher.
Over the past five years the average was 32.8%, with a range from 32.1% to 34.0%. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1991 and has 35 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 91% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 34.0% (2021) and the lowest is 22.3% (2007). The long-run average is 25.2%.
Compared with other countries
Among 192 economies with recent data, South Africa ranks 3rd from the top. The median across all these economies is 5.1%, so South Africa is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 1st.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (48 economies with data) it ranks 3rd; the regional median is 5.3%.
IMF outlook
The IMF World Economic Outlook projects 33.2% in 2026 and 33.0% in 2027 for South Africa. Projections are forecasts, not actual data, and are revised as new information arrives.
Statistics
- Latest
- 32.4%2025
- Previous
- 32.3%
- 5-year average
- 32.8%
- Long-run average
- 25.2%since 1991
- All-time high
- 34.0%2021
- All-time low
- 22.3%2007
- Observations
- 35Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2024 | 32.3% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 2023 | 32.1% | ▼ −1.2 pp |
| 2022 | 33.3% | ▼ −0.7 pp |
| 2021 | 34.0% | ▲ +4.8 pp |
| 2020 | 29.2% | ▲ +0.7 pp |
| 2019 | 28.5% | ▲ +1.6 pp |
| 2018 | 26.9% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2017 | 27.0% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2016 | 26.5% | ▲ +1.4 pp |
| 2015 | 25.1% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2014 | 24.9% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2013 | 24.6% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 2012 | 24.7% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2011 | 24.6% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2010 | 24.7% | ▲ +1.2 pp |
| 2009 | 23.5% | ▲ +1.1 pp |
| 2008 | 22.4% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2007 | 22.3% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2006 | 22.3% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 2005 | 22.5% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2004 | 22.6% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 22.7% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2002 | 22.6% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2001 | 22.7% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2000 | 22.8% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 1999 | 22.9% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 1998 | 22.7% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 1997 | 22.5% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 1996 | 22.5% |
Unemployment Rate — South Africa vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Africa highlighted.
More South Africa indicators
Understanding Unemployment Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The share of the labour force that is without work but available for and actively seeking employment.
How it is calculated
Unemployment rate = number of unemployed people ÷ labour force × 100. The labour force includes everyone who is working or actively looking for work. People who are not looking for work (students, retirees) are not counted.
If 50 lakh people are looking for work out of a labour force of 10 crore, the unemployment rate is 5%.
A high or rising rate means more people cannot find jobs, which reduces household income and spending.
A low rate means most people who want a job have one. Very low unemployment can push wages and inflation higher.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Unemployment reflects the health of the labour market, which drives household income and consumer spending. Central banks with employment mandates (such as the US Federal Reserve) watch it closely.
How to read it
Definitions differ by country; World Bank and IMF figures use harmonised ILO-based estimates for comparability. A low rate combined with rising wages can indicate a tight labour market.
What to look at alongside it
Labour force participation, wage growth, GDP growth and youth unemployment.
Key terms
- Labour force
- People who are employed plus those actively seeking work.
- ILO definition
- The International Labour Organization standard used to make figures comparable across countries.
- Participation rate
- Share of the working-age population in the labour force.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), annual data from 1991 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current unemployment rate of South Africa?
What is the highest and lowest unemployment rate of South Africa?
What is the IMF projection for South Africa unemployment rate?
What does unemployment rate measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.