Youth unemployment in South Africa in 2025 — 59.93%. Ranked 181 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 16.44 pp.
1991–2025 · % of labor force aged 15–24
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59.93 | −0.32 pp |
| 2024 | 60.25 | −0.01 pp |
| 2023 | 60.26 | −1.42 pp |
| 2022 | 61.68 | −3.77 pp |
| 2021 | 65.45 | +5.84 pp |
| 2020 | 59.61 | +2.29 pp |
| 2019 | 57.32 | +3.68 pp |
| 2018 | 53.63 | +0.24 pp |
| 2017 | 53.4 | −0.06 pp |
| 2016 | 53.45 | +3.34 pp |
| 2015 | 50.12 | −1.08 pp |
| 2014 | 51.19 | −0.01 pp |
| 2013 | 51.21 | −0.12 pp |
| 2012 | 51.32 | +1.58 pp |
| 2011 | 49.75 | −0.71 pp |
| 2010 | 50.45 | +2.98 pp |
| 2009 | 47.47 | +2.9 pp |
| 2008 | 44.58 | +0.53 pp |
| 2007 | 44.04 | +0.18 pp |
| 2006 | 43.87 | −0.06 pp |
| 2005 | 43.93 | +0.07 pp |
| 2004 | 43.86 | +0.07 pp |
| 2003 | 43.8 | +0.45 pp |
| 2002 | 43.35 | +0.14 pp |
| 2001 | 43.21 | +0.02 pp |
| 2000 | 43.19 | +0.08 pp |
| 1999 | 43.11 | +0.47 pp |
| 1998 | 42.64 | +0.54 pp |
| 1997 | 42.09 | −0.05 pp |
| 1996 | 42.14 | −0.67 pp |
| 1995 | 42.81 | −1.08 pp |
| 1994 | 43.89 | −0.43 pp |
| 1993 | 44.32 | +0.26 pp |
| 1992 | 44.07 | +0.57 pp |
| 1991 | 43.49 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The share of the economically active population aged 15–24 that is unemployed. In almost every country youth unemployment runs two to three times above the overall rate: the young have no experience, and their first entry into the labor market puts them up against more qualified workers. A sharp gap with the overall rate points to structural problems in the transition from school to work.
Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.
The share of the labor force that is looking for work and available to start.
Education Tertiary education enrollmentHow many university students there are relative to the population of the corresponding age.
Labor Employment-to-population ratioThe share of the population aged 15 and over that actually works.
Labor Unemployment rate (IMF)Unemployment as estimated by the IMF — with a forecast, for countries with reliable labor market statistics.
Labor Female unemploymentThe unemployment rate of the female part of the labor force.
Labor Labor forceThe number of people employed or actively looking for work — the economically active population.
