South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate (2025)
South Africa's Youth Unemployment Rate: 59.9 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025, -0.3pp YoY. World Bank (SL.UEM.1524.ZS), 2000–2025.
South Africa (2025)
59.9
% of labor force ages 15–24
-0.3pp YoY
YoY Change
-0.3pp
percentage points
Trend
down
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of labor force ages 15–24 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59.9 | -0.3pp |
| 2024 | 60.2 | -0pp |
| 2023 | 60.3 | -1.4pp |
| 2022 | 61.7 | -3.8pp |
| 2021 | 65.5 | +5.8pp |
| 2020 | 59.6 | +2.3pp |
| 2019 | 57.3 | +3.7pp |
| 2018 | 53.6 | +0.2pp |
| 2017 | 53.4 | -0.1pp |
| 2016 | 53.5 | +3.3pp |
| 2015 | 50.1 | -1.1pp |
| 2014 | 51.2 | -0pp |
| 2013 | 51.2 | -0.1pp |
| 2012 | 51.3 | +1.6pp |
| 2011 | 49.7 | -0.7pp |
| 2010 | 50.5 | +3pp |
| 2009 | 47.5 | +2.9pp |
| 2008 | 44.6 | +0.5pp |
| 2007 | 44 | +0.2pp |
| 2006 | 43.9 | n/a |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 59.9 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025. The most recent year-on-year change was -0.3pp. The historical series (2000–2025) shows a peak of 65.5 in 2021 and a trough of 42.1 in 1997.
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 youth unemployment rate in South Africa, published by World Bank. Data covers 2000–2025 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. Updated annual.
The series peaked at 65.5 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2021 and reached its lowest recorded value of 42.1 in 1997. The latest reading of 59.9 in 2025 represents a year-on-year change of -0.3pp.