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South Africa Average Unemployment Rate 1980-2025

22.64% 46 data points
Unemployment as % of total labor force · World Bank

South Africa's average unemployment rate from 1980 to 2025 was 22.64%, based on 46 data points.

All Data (sorted by year)▾
YearValueChangeRank
2025 32.39% −0.21pp 180th
2024 32.28% −0.10pp 186th
2023 32.10% −1.40pp 188th
2022 33.27% −1.03pp 190th
2021 34.01% +4.83pp 190th
2020 29.22% +0.52pp 190th
2019 28.47% +1.34pp 191st
2018 26.91% −0.54pp 191st
2017 27.04% +0.31pp 191st
2016 26.54% +1.19pp 191st
2015 25.15% +0.05pp 188th
2014 24.89% +0.16pp 187th
2013 24.56% −0.31pp 186th
2012 24.73% −0.07pp 185th
2011 24.64% −0.24pp 187th
Show all
Source: World Bank (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
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