South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate 1991-2024
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 2022 was 51.52%, a 1.66% increase from 2021.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2021 was 49.86%, a 6.37% increase from 2020.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2020 was 43.50%, a 3.91% decline from 2019.
- South Africa youth unemployment rate for 2019 was 47.41%, a 3.65% increase from 2018.
| Similar Country Ranking | |
|---|---|
| Country Name | % of Total Labor Force Ages 15-24 |
| South Africa | 51.52% |
| Libya | 51.47% |
| St. Lucia | 40.02% |
| Namibia | 39.78% |
| Jordan | 39.42% |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 38.18% |
| Botswana | 37.85% |
| Gabon | 36.89% |
| North Macedonia | 34.91% |
| Iraq | 34.59% |
| Bosnia | 33.47% |
| Costa Rica | 31.89% |
| Algeria | 29.03% |
| Montenegro | 28.26% |
| Albania | 27.79% |
| Suriname | 26.18% |
| Iran | 26.00% |
| Lebanon | 25.50% |
| Guyana | 25.40% |
| Serbia | 24.85% |
| Armenia | 24.57% |
| Mauritius | 22.86% |
| Romania | 21.98% |
| Belize | 21.81% |
| Colombia | 21.61% |
| Brazil | 21.36% |
| Samoa | 20.81% |
| Turkey | 18.98% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 16.51% |
| Dominican Republic | 16.17% |
| Paraguay | 15.15% |
| Maldives | 15.13% |
| Fiji | 14.90% |
| Jamaica | 14.58% |
| Azerbaijan | 13.40% |
| China | 13.17% |
| Bulgaria | 12.23% |
| Malaysia | 11.70% |
| Venezuela | 11.39% |
| Belarus | 11.22% |
| Turkmenistan | 10.59% |
| Ecuador | 8.65% |
| Tonga | 8.38% |
| Peru | 7.45% |
| Mexico | 6.36% |
| Guatemala | 5.05% |
| Thailand | 4.47% |
| Kazakhstan | 3.85% |
| Cuba | 3.47% |
| South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate - Historical Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | % of Total Labor Force Ages 15-24 | Annual Change |
| 2022 | 51.52% | 1.66% |
| 2021 | 49.86% | 6.37% |
| 2020 | 43.50% | -3.91% |
| 2019 | 47.41% | 3.65% |
| 2018 | 43.76% | 0.95% |
| 2017 | 42.81% | -1.13% |
| 2016 | 43.94% | 1.94% |
| 2015 | 42.00% | -1.96% |
| 2014 | 43.96% | 1.15% |
| 2013 | 42.81% | 0.91% |
| 2012 | 41.90% | 2.16% |
| 2011 | 39.74% | -5.80% |
| 2010 | 45.54% | 6.95% |
| 2009 | 38.59% | 2.05% |
| 2008 | 36.54% | 0.27% |
| 2007 | 36.27% | 0.16% |
| 2006 | 36.12% | 0.12% |
| 2005 | 36.00% | 0.09% |
| 2004 | 35.91% | 0.00% |
| 2003 | 35.91% | 0.07% |
| 2002 | 35.84% | -0.06% |
| 2001 | 35.90% | 0.05% |
| 2000 | 35.85% | -0.05% |
| 1999 | 35.89% | -0.02% |
| 1998 | 35.92% | 0.22% |
| 1997 | 35.70% | 0.22% |
| 1996 | 35.49% | 0.09% |
| 1995 | 35.40% | 0.24% |
| 1994 | 35.16% | 0.20% |
| 1993 | 34.96% | 0.17% |
| 1992 | 34.79% | 0.45% |
| 1991 | 34.34% | 0.45% |