South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate 1991-2023
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2021 was 64.18%, a 4.56% increase from 2020.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2020 was 59.62%, a 2.24% increase from 2019.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2019 was 57.38%, a 3.63% increase from 2018.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2018 was 53.75%, a 0.21% increase from 2017.
| Similar Country Ranking | |
|---|---|
| Country Name | % of Total Labor Force Ages 15-24 |
| South Africa | 64.18% |
| Libya | 50.45% |
| Costa Rica | 45.36% |
| Botswana | 41.20% |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 41.09% |
| Jordan | 40.53% |
| Namibia | 40.44% |
| St. Lucia | 38.69% |
| Gabon | 38.43% |
| Armenia | 36.09% |
| North Macedonia | 34.12% |
| Bosnia | 32.87% |
| Brazil | 31.90% |
| Algeria | 31.88% |
| Montenegro | 31.56% |
| Suriname | 30.53% |
| Serbia | 30.41% |
| Guyana | 29.85% |
| Lebanon | 29.60% |
| Albania | 27.84% |
| Iran | 27.21% |
| Iraq | 27.20% |
| Colombia | 26.45% |
| Jamaica | 26.11% |
| Mauritius | 25.26% |
| Turkey | 24.31% |
| Dominican Republic | 20.60% |
| Romania | 20.57% |
| Samoa | 19.69% |
| Belize | 19.27% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 18.29% |
| Fiji | 18.06% |
| Maldives | 17.74% |
| Russia | 16.89% |
| Azerbaijan | 16.49% |
| Paraguay | 16.27% |
| Malaysia | 15.60% |
| Venezuela | 14.94% |
| Ecuador | 14.23% |
| Bulgaria | 14.16% |
| China | 11.35% |
| Belarus | 11.31% |
| Peru | 11.16% |
| Tonga | 11.12% |
| Turkmenistan | 11.01% |
| Mexico | 8.13% |
| Cuba | 7.39% |
| Guatemala | 7.21% |
| Thailand | 6.98% |
| Kazakhstan | 3.73% |
| South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate - Historical Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | % of Total Labor Force Ages 15-24 | Annual Change |
| 2021 | 64.18% | 4.56% |
| 2020 | 59.62% | 2.24% |
| 2019 | 57.38% | 3.63% |
| 2018 | 53.75% | 0.21% |
| 2017 | 53.53% | -0.15% |
| 2016 | 53.68% | 3.29% |
| 2015 | 50.40% | -1.11% |
| 2014 | 51.51% | -0.01% |
| 2013 | 51.52% | -0.14% |
| 2012 | 51.66% | 1.60% |
| 2011 | 50.07% | -0.73% |
| 2010 | 50.80% | 2.96% |
| 2009 | 47.84% | 2.83% |
| 2008 | 45.01% | -7.50% |
| 2007 | 52.51% | -1.86% |
| 2006 | 54.37% | -1.26% |
| 2005 | 55.63% | -0.25% |
| 2004 | 55.88% | -4.55% |
| 2003 | 60.43% | 1.26% |
| 2002 | 59.17% | 4.24% |
| 2001 | 54.92% | 2.63% |
| 2000 | 52.29% | 0.47% |
| 1999 | 51.82% | 0.44% |
| 1998 | 51.38% | 0.53% |
| 1997 | 50.85% | 0.48% |
| 1996 | 50.37% | 0.37% |
| 1995 | 50.00% | 0.50% |
| 1994 | 49.50% | 0.41% |
| 1993 | 49.09% | 0.35% |
| 1992 | 48.74% | 0.44% |
| 1991 | 48.30% | 0.44% |
