Unemployment Rate — South Africa
Indicator code: SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS · Source: World Bank
Latest (2025)
32.39 %
Year-over-year
+0.35%
Global rank
#2 / 20
Periods available
5
Historical Data
| Period | Value | YoY Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.39 % | +0.35% | World Bank |
| 2024 | 32.28 % | +0.56% | World Bank |
| 2023 | 32.1 % | -3.52% | World Bank |
| 2022 | 33.27 % | -2.17% | World Bank |
| 2021 | 34.01 % | — | World Bank |
Global Ranking — Unemployment Rate
| Rank | Country | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Eswatini | 34.2 % | 2025 |
| #2 | South Africa ◄ | 32.39 % | 2025 |
| #3 | Djibouti | 26.02 % | 2025 |
| #4 | Botswana | 24.48 % | 2025 |
| #5 | West Bank and Gaza | 24.42 % | 2022 |
| #6 | Gabon | 20.15 % | 2025 |
| #7 | Congo, Rep. | 19.88 % | 2025 |
| #8 | Namibia | 19.29 % | 2025 |
| #9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.95 % | 2025 |
| #10 | Libya | 18.76 % | 2025 |
| #11 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 18 % | 2025 |
| #12 | Yemen, Rep. | 17.32 % | 2025 |
| #13 | Jordan | 16.54 % | 2025 |
| #14 | Lesotho | 16.32 % | 2025 |
| #15 | Iraq | 15.49 % | 2025 |
| #16 | Tunisia | 15.11 % | 2025 |
| #17 | Haiti | 14.94 % | 2025 |
| #18 | Angola | 14.11 % | 2025 |
| #19 | Montenegro | 13.57 % | 2025 |
| #20 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13.57 % | 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Unemployment Rate of South Africa?
- In 2025, South Africa's Unemployment Rate was 32.39 %. This is a +0.35% change year-over-year.
- How does South Africa compare globally for Unemployment Rate?
- South Africa ranks #2 globally for Unemployment Rate.