South Africa Unemployment Rate 1991-2024
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2023 was 27.99%, a 0.85% decline from 2022.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2022 was 28.84%, a 0.07% increase from 2021.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2021 was 28.77%, a 4.43% increase from 2020.
- South Africa unemployment rate for 2020 was 24.34%, a 1.2% decline from 2019.
| South Africa Unemployment Rate - Historical Data |
| Year |
Unemployment Rate (%) |
Annual Change |
| 2023 |
27.99% |
-0.85% |
| 2022 |
28.84% |
0.07% |
| 2021 |
28.77% |
4.43% |
| 2020 |
24.34% |
-1.20% |
| 2019 |
25.54% |
1.32% |
| 2018 |
24.22% |
0.23% |
| 2017 |
23.99% |
-0.03% |
| 2016 |
24.02% |
1.15% |
| 2015 |
22.87% |
0.26% |
| 2014 |
22.61% |
0.57% |
| 2013 |
22.04% |
0.25% |
| 2012 |
21.79% |
0.37% |
| 2011 |
21.42% |
-1.77% |
| 2010 |
23.18% |
2.67% |
| 2009 |
20.51% |
1.01% |
| 2008 |
19.51% |
0.12% |
| 2007 |
19.39% |
-0.04% |
| 2006 |
19.43% |
-0.13% |
| 2005 |
19.56% |
-0.08% |
| 2004 |
19.63% |
-0.09% |
| 2003 |
19.73% |
0.07% |
| 2002 |
19.66% |
-0.07% |
| 2001 |
19.73% |
-0.12% |
| 2000 |
19.84% |
-0.08% |
| 1999 |
19.93% |
0.10% |
| 1998 |
19.82% |
0.14% |
| 1997 |
19.68% |
0.04% |
| 1996 |
19.64% |
-0.16% |
| 1995 |
19.80% |
-0.27% |
| 1994 |
20.07% |
-0.22% |
| 1993 |
20.30% |
-0.07% |
| 1992 |
20.37% |
0.26% |
| 1991 |
20.11% |
0.26% |
