Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) vs South Africa: Unemployment rate,Percent
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)
9.1%
in 2024
South Africa
32.4%
in 2025
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) rank
2nd
South Africa rank
1st
Unemployment rate,Percent over time
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 32.4% against 9.1% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income), a difference of 23.3%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 3.6 times Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income)'s.
Across all 18 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 9 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.1% | 23.7% | 15.7% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 8.2% | 25.7% | 17.4% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 8.8% | 33.2% | 24.4% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment rate,percent, Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 32.4% against 9.1% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment rate,percent between Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 23.3%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa?
- 18 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2024.
- How do Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment rate,percent?
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (excluding high income) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 9 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- The World Bank, published as Unemployment rate,Percent,,,. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.