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Unemployment rate (IMF) — all countries

Unemployment rate (IMF) — South Africa

Unemployment rate (IMF) in South Africa in 2031 — 31.9%. Ranked 101 in the world out of 102. Since 1980, the indicator has risen by 22.7 pp.

2031 31.9% −0.1 pp vs 2030
World rank 101of 102
Period maximum 34.3%2021
Period minimum 9.2%1980

Trend over time

1980–2031 · % of labor force

Unemployment rate (IMF) — South Africa, 1980–203101020304019801986199219982004201020162022202820311980: 9.2%1981: 9.8%1982: 10.8%1983: 12.5%1984: 13.7%1985: 15.5%1986: 16%1987: 16.6%1988: 17.2%1989: 17.8%1990: 18.8%1991: 20.2%1992: 21.2%1993: 22.2%1994: 22.9%1995: 16.5%1996: 20.3%1997: 22%1998: 26.1%1999: 23.3%2000: 23%2001: 26%2002: 27.8%2003: 27.7%2004: 25.2%2005: 24.7%2006: 23.6%2007: 23%2008: 22.5%2009: 23.7%2010: 24.9%2011: 24.8%2012: 24.9%2013: 24.7%2014: 25.1%2015: 25.4%2016: 26.7%2017: 27.5%2018: 27.1%2019: 28.7%2020: 29.2%2021: 34.3%2022: 33.5%2023: 32.4%2024: 32.6%2025: 32.4%2026: 32.5%2027: 32.4%2028: 32.2%2029: 32.1%2030: 32%2031: 31.9%
Change over the period: +22.7 pp Annual average: 0.45 pp
Unemployment rate (IMF) — South Africa, by year South Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2031 31.9 −0.1 pp
2030 32 −0.1 pp
2029 32.1 −0.1 pp
2028 32.2 −0.2 pp
2027 32.4 −0.1 pp
2026 32.5 +0.1 pp
2025 32.4 −0.2 pp
2024 32.6 +0.2 pp
2023 32.4 −1.1 pp
2022 33.5 −0.8 pp
2021 34.3 +5.1 pp
2020 29.2 +0.5 pp
2019 28.7 +1.6 pp
2018 27.1 −0.4 pp
2017 27.5 +0.8 pp
2016 26.7 +1.3 pp
2015 25.4 +0.3 pp
2014 25.1 +0.4 pp
2013 24.7 −0.2 pp
2012 24.9 +0.1 pp
2011 24.8 −0.1 pp
2010 24.9 +1.2 pp
2009 23.7 +1.2 pp
2008 22.5 −0.5 pp
2007 23 −0.6 pp
2006 23.6 −1.1 pp
2005 24.7 −0.5 pp
2004 25.2 −2.5 pp
2003 27.7 −0.1 pp
2002 27.8 +1.8 pp
2001 26 +3 pp
2000 23 −0.3 pp
1999 23.3 −2.8 pp
1998 26.1 +4.1 pp
1997 22 +1.7 pp
1996 20.3 +3.8 pp
1995 16.5 −6.4 pp
1994 22.9 +0.7 pp
1993 22.2 +1 pp
1992 21.2 +1 pp
1991 20.2 +1.4 pp
1990 18.8 +1 pp
1989 17.8 +0.6 pp
1988 17.2 +0.6 pp
1987 16.6 +0.6 pp
1986 16 +0.5 pp
1985 15.5 +1.8 pp
1984 13.7 +1.2 pp
1983 12.5 +1.7 pp
1982 10.8 +1 pp
1981 9.8 +0.6 pp
1980 9.2 —

About the indicator

The unemployment rate as a percent of the labor force, from the IMF World Economic Outlook database. The series is shorter than the ILO one: the IMF publishes it only for countries with comparable labor market statistics, but in exchange it includes a forecast. For full country coverage there is the unemployment rate based on ILO data.

Source: World Economic Outlook (IMF), license IMF open data.

Other indicators for South Africa

Labor Unemployment rate

The share of the labor force that is looking for work and available to start.

South Africa by year Economy Real GDP growth (IMF)

Real GDP growth rates as estimated and projected by the IMF.

South Africa by year Labor Labor force participation rate

What share of the population aged 15 and over works or looks for work.

South Africa by year Labor Youth unemployment

The unemployment rate at ages 15–24 — almost always two to three times the overall rate.

South Africa by year Labor Female unemployment

The unemployment rate of the female part of the labor force.

South Africa by year Labor Labor force

The number of people employed or actively looking for work — the economically active population.

South Africa by year
All indicators for South Africa