South Africa Unemployment Rate (ILO, % of Labor Force) (2025)
South Africa's Unemployment Rate (ILO, % of Labor Force): 32.4 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 2025, +0.1pp YoY. World Bank (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), 1990–2…
South Africa (2025)
32.4
% of labor force (ILO methodology)
+0.1pp YoY
YoY Change
+0.1pp
percentage points
Trend
up
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of labor force (ILO methodology) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4 | +0.1pp |
| 2024 | 32.3 | +0.2pp |
| 2023 | 32.1 | -1.2pp |
| 2022 | 33.3 | -0.7pp |
| 2021 | 34 | +4.8pp |
| 2020 | 29.2 | +0.7pp |
| 2019 | 28.5 | +1.6pp |
| 2018 | 26.9 | -0.1pp |
| 2017 | 27 | +0.5pp |
| 2016 | 26.5 | +1.4pp |
| 2015 | 25.1 | +0.3pp |
| 2014 | 24.9 | +0.3pp |
| 2013 | 24.6 | -0.2pp |
| 2012 | 24.7 | +0.1pp |
| 2011 | 24.6 | -0pp |
| 2010 | 24.7 | +1.2pp |
| 2009 | 23.5 | +1.1pp |
| 2008 | 22.4 | +0.1pp |
| 2007 | 22.3 | -0pp |
| 2006 | 22.3 | n/a |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 32.4 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 2025. The most recent year-on-year change was +0.1pp. The historical series (1990–2025) shows a peak of 34.0 in 2021 and a trough of 22.3 in 2007.
Data sourced from World Bank Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology ensuring cross-country comparability.
The chart above shows the full historical trend; the table below lists annual values with year-on-year changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
This indicator tracks south africa unemployment rate (ilo, % of labor force) in South Africa, published by World Bank. Data covers 1990–2025 at annual frequency using harmonised methodology.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. Data is updated annual.
The series peaked at 34.0 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 2021 and reached its lowest recorded value of 22.3 in 2007. The latest reading of 32.4 in 2025 represents a year-on-year change of +0.1pp.