Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Southern Africa

Female unemployment in Southern Africa in 2025 — 32.74%. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 6.67 pp.

2025 32.74% −0.38 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 34.78%2021
Period minimum 25.05%2009

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Southern Africa, 1991–20252527.53032.53519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 26.07%1992: 26.43%1993: 26.46%1994: 26.21%1995: 25.79%1996: 25.55%1997: 25.58%1998: 25.73%1999: 25.74%2000: 25.5%2001: 25.53%2002: 25.55%2003: 25.74%2004: 25.57%2005: 25.4%2006: 25.15%2007: 25.09%2008: 25.2%2009: 25.05%2010: 26.35%2011: 26.43%2012: 26.18%2013: 25.78%2014: 26.21%2015: 26.77%2016: 28.13%2017: 28.31%2018: 28.04%2019: 29.38%2020: 29.96%2021: 34.78%2022: 33.93%2023: 33.21%2024: 33.12%2025: 32.74%
Change over the period: +6.67 pp Annual average: 0.2 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Southern Africa

Southern Africa 32.74%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 32.74 −0.38 pp
2024 33.12 −0.09 pp
2023 33.21 −0.72 pp
2022 33.93 −0.85 pp
2021 34.78 +4.82 pp
2020 29.96 +0.58 pp
2019 29.38 +1.34 pp
2018 28.04 −0.27 pp
2017 28.31 +0.17 pp
2016 28.13 +1.37 pp
2015 26.77 +0.56 pp
2014 26.21 +0.43 pp
2013 25.78 −0.41 pp
2012 26.18 −0.24 pp
2011 26.43 +0.08 pp
2010 26.35 +1.3 pp
2009 25.05 −0.15 pp
2008 25.2 +0.11 pp
2007 25.09 −0.06 pp
2006 25.15 −0.25 pp
2005 25.4 −0.17 pp
2004 25.57 −0.17 pp
2003 25.74 +0.19 pp
2002 25.55 +0.02 pp
2001 25.53 +0.03 pp
2000 25.5 −0.24 pp
1999 25.74 +0 pp
1998 25.73 +0.15 pp
1997 25.58 +0.03 pp
1996 25.55 −0.24 pp
1995 25.79 −0.42 pp
1994 26.21 −0.25 pp
1993 26.46 +0.02 pp
1992 26.43 +0.37 pp
1991 26.07

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.