South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate
Unemployment rate for people aged 15-24.
Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 59.93 percent in 2025 from 60.25 percent in 2024.
South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate — History
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South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa decreased to 59.93 percent in 2025 from 60.25 percent in 2024.
It has fallen in each of the last three years.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 60.2%, so the latest figure is 0.3 percentage points lower.
Over the past five years the average was 61.5%, with a range from 59.9% to 65.5%. 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 86% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 65.5% (2021) and the lowest is 42.1% (1997). The long-run average is 49.1%.
Compared with other countries
Among 187 economies with recent data, South Africa ranks 2nd from the top. The median across all these economies is 13.0%, so South Africa is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 1st.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (47 economies with data) it ranks 1st; the regional median is 8.8%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 59.9%2025
- Previous
- 60.2%
- 5-year average
- 61.5%
- Long-run average
- 49.1%since 1991
- All-time high
- 65.5%2021
- All-time low
- 42.1%1997
- Observations
- 35Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59.9% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 2024 | 60.2% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2023 | 60.3% | ▼ −1.4 pp |
| 2022 | 61.7% | ▼ −3.8 pp |
| 2021 | 65.5% | ▲ +5.8 pp |
| 2020 | 59.6% | ▲ +2.3 pp |
| 2019 | 57.3% | ▲ +3.7 pp |
| 2018 | 53.6% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 2017 | 53.4% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2016 | 53.5% | ▲ +3.3 pp |
| 2015 | 50.1% | ▼ −1.1 pp |
| 2014 | 51.2% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2013 | 51.2% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2012 | 51.3% | ▲ +1.6 pp |
| 2011 | 49.7% | ▼ −0.7 pp |
| 2010 | 50.5% | ▲ +3.0 pp |
| 2009 | 47.5% | ▲ +2.9 pp |
| 2008 | 44.6% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2007 | 44.0% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 2006 | 43.9% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2005 | 43.9% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2004 | 43.9% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 43.8% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2002 | 43.4% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2001 | 43.2% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 2000 | 43.2% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 1999 | 43.1% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 1998 | 42.6% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 1997 | 42.1% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 1996 | 42.1% |
Youth Unemployment Rate — South Africa vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Africa highlighted.
More South Africa indicators
Understanding Youth Unemployment Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The unemployment rate for people aged 15–24.
How it is calculated
Unemployed people aged 15–24 ÷ labour force aged 15–24 × 100.
A rate of 15% means 15 of every 100 young people in the labour force cannot find work.
High youth unemployment can signal difficulty absorbing new workers.
Low youth unemployment means young people find jobs relatively easily.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Youth unemployment reflects how well an economy absorbs new entrants to the labour market.
How to read it
It is usually two to three times the overall rate; sharp rises often appear early in downturns.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series SL.UEM.1524.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 youth unemployment rate of South Africa?
What is the highest and lowest youth unemployment rate of South Africa?
What does youth 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.