Unemployment rate: South Africa
32.391% in 2025, the latest year published. Figures for 35 years from 1991 to 2025 are below.
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Source and method · All countries and regions.
Every year
| Year | Value (%) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.391 |
| 2024 | 32.279 |
| 2023 | 32.098 |
| 2022 | 33.268 |
| 2021 | 34.007 |
| 2020 | 29.217 |
| 2019 | 28.468 |
| 2018 | 26.906 |
| 2017 | 27.035 |
| 2016 | 26.536 |
| 2015 | 25.149 |
| 2014 | 24.89 |
| 2013 | 24.561 |
| 2012 | 24.727 |
| 2011 | 24.639 |
| 2010 | 24.683 |
| 2009 | 23.523 |
| 2008 | 22.407 |
| 2007 | 22.26 |
| 2006 | 22.304 |
| 2005 | 22.472 |
| 2004 | 22.567 |
| 2003 | 22.679 |
| 2002 | 22.579 |
| 2001 | 22.652 |
| 2000 | 22.788 |
| 1999 | 22.884 |
| 1998 | 22.739 |
| 1997 | 22.549 |
| 1996 | 22.5 |
| 1995 | 22.705 |
| 1994 | 23.067 |
| 1993 | 23.361 |
| 1992 | 23.463 |
| 1991 | 23.137 |