South Africa Unemployment Rate 1991-2023
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2021 was 33.56%, a 4.34% increase from 2020.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2020 was 29.22%, a 0.75% increase from 2019.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2019 was 28.47%, a 1.56% increase from 2018.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2018 was 26.91%, a 0.13% decline from 2017.
| Similar Country Ranking | |
|---|---|
| Country Name | Unemployment Rate (%) |
| South Africa | 33.56% |
| Botswana | 24.72% |
| Gabon | 22.27% |
| Namibia | 21.68% |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 21.62% |
| Armenia | 20.90% |
| Libya | 19.58% |
| Jordan | 19.25% |
| Montenegro | 18.49% |
| Costa Rica | 17.95% |
| St. Lucia | 16.91% |
| Guyana | 16.43% |
| North Macedonia | 16.20% |
| Bosnia | 15.22% |
| Lebanon | 14.49% |
| Brazil | 14.40% |
| Colombia | 14.34% |
| Iraq | 14.19% |
| Turkey | 13.39% |
| Algeria | 12.70% |
| Albania | 11.82% |
| Serbia | 11.81% |
| Iran | 11.46% |
| Suriname | 10.07% |
| Samoa | 9.84% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 9.25% |
| Jamaica | 9.18% |
| Dominican Republic | 8.50% |
| Belize | 8.22% |
| Mauritius | 7.41% |
| Paraguay | 7.21% |
| Azerbaijan | 6.58% |
| Ecuador | 6.43% |
| Venezuela | 6.41% |
| Maldives | 6.08% |
| Bulgaria | 5.42% |
| Fiji | 5.24% |
| Romania | 5.17% |
| Turkmenistan | 5.08% |
| Russia | 5.01% |
| Kazakhstan | 4.90% |
| Peru | 4.83% |
| China | 4.82% |
| Belarus | 4.74% |
| Malaysia | 4.61% |
| Mexico | 4.38% |
| Tonga | 3.97% |
| Guatemala | 3.57% |
| Cuba | 2.76% |
| Thailand | 1.42% |
| South Africa Unemployment Rate - Historical Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Unemployment Rate (%) | Annual Change |
| 2021 | 33.56% | 4.34% |
| 2020 | 29.22% | 0.75% |
| 2019 | 28.47% | 1.56% |
| 2018 | 26.91% | -0.13% |
| 2017 | 27.04% | 0.50% |
| 2016 | 26.54% | 1.39% |
| 2015 | 25.15% | 0.26% |
| 2014 | 24.89% | 0.33% |
| 2013 | 24.56% | -0.17% |
| 2012 | 24.73% | 0.09% |
| 2011 | 24.64% | -0.04% |
| 2010 | 24.68% | 1.16% |
| 2009 | 23.52% | 1.11% |
| 2008 | 22.41% | -4.13% |
| 2007 | 26.54% | -1.80% |
| 2006 | 28.34% | -0.78% |
| 2005 | 29.12% | -0.33% |
| 2004 | 29.45% | -2.86% |
| 2003 | 32.31% | -0.98% |
| 2002 | 33.29% | 2.60% |
| 2001 | 30.69% | 0.81% |
| 2000 | 29.88% | -0.03% |
| 1999 | 29.91% | -0.03% |
| 1998 | 29.95% | 0.04% |
| 1997 | 29.91% | 0.03% |
| 1996 | 29.87% | -0.02% |
| 1995 | 29.89% | 0.00% |
| 1994 | 29.89% | -0.03% |
| 1993 | 29.92% | -0.06% |
| 1992 | 29.98% | 0.03% |
| 1991 | 29.96% | 0.03% |
