Economy
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · updated 2025-12-31
South Africa's unemployment rate stands at 32.39% as of 2025-12-31, up from 32.28% in 2024. Historical data runs from 1991 to 2025 (35 observations).
In 2025, South Africa's unemployment rate was 32.39%, up from 32.28% in 2024.
In 2024, South Africa's unemployment rate was 32.28%, up from 32.1% in 2023.
In 2023, South Africa's unemployment rate was 32.1%, down from 33.27% in 2022.
In 2022, South Africa's unemployment rate was 33.27%, down from 34.01% in 2021.
In 2021, South Africa's unemployment rate was 34.01%, up from 29.22% in 2020.
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.39% | +0.112% |
| 2024 | 32.28% | +0.181% |
| 2023 | 32.1% | -1.17% |
| 2022 | 33.27% | -0.739% |
| 2021 | 34.01% | +4.79% |
| 2020 | 29.22% | +0.749% |
| 2019 | 28.47% | +1.56% |
| 2018 | 26.91% | -0.129% |
| 2017 | 27.04% | +0.499% |
| 2016 | 26.54% | +1.39% |
| 2015 | 25.15% | +0.259% |
| 2014 | 24.89% | +0.329% |
| 2013 | 24.56% | -0.166% |
| 2012 | 24.73% | +0.088% |
| 2011 | 24.64% | -0.044% |
| 2010 | 24.68% | +1.16% |
| 2009 | 23.52% | +1.12% |
| 2008 | 22.41% | +0.147% |
| 2007 | 22.26% | -0.044% |
| 2006 | 22.3% | -0.168% |
| 2005 | 22.47% | -0.095% |
| 2004 | 22.57% | -0.112% |
| 2003 | 22.68% | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 22.58% | -0.073% |
| 2001 | 22.65% | -0.136% |
| 2000 | 22.79% | -0.096% |
| 1999 | 22.88% | +0.145% |
| 1998 | 22.74% | +0.19% |
| 1997 | 22.55% | +0.049% |
| 1996 | 22.5% | -0.205% |
| 1995 | 22.71% | -0.362% |
| 1994 | 23.07% | -0.294% |
| 1993 | 23.36% | -0.102% |
| 1992 | 23.46% | +0.326% |
| 1991 | 23.14% | — |
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · Download this series as CSV — free, attribution required (CC BY 4.0).
South Africa's unemployment rate is 32.39% as of 2025-12-31, compared with 32.28% in 2024. The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)
The highest recorded value is 34.01% (2021); the lowest is 22.26% (2007), across data from 1991 to 2025.
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) Figures are republished with attribution and updated as the source releases new observations.