Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa
South Africa: Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates was 32.3% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa, 1995–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa stood at 32.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa peaked at 43.8% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 22.4%, in 2008.
That places South Africa 2nd out of 185 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 29 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.3% | 25.0% | 43.8% | 4 |
| 2000s | 28.6% | 22.4% | 33.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.8% | 24.6% | 28.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.2% | 29.2% | 34.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa?
- Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in South Africa was 32.3% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 1995.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.4% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 185 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 29 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.