South Africa: Unemployment rate
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
The most recent value is 33.6 percent as of Q2 2026, an increase compared to the previous value of 32.7 percent. Historically, the average for South Africa from Q1 2008 to Q2 2026 is 27.94 percent. The minimum of 21.5 percent was recorded in Q4 2008, while the maximum of 35.3 percent was reached in Q4 2021.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
- Measure: percent
- Definition: The unemployment rate represents the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- Source: Statistics South Africa
| Recent values | South Africa: Unemployment rate, percent |
|---|---|
| 2026 Q2 | 33.6 |
| 2026 Q1 | 32.7 |
| 2025 Q4 | 31.4 |
| 2025 Q3 | 31.9 |
| 2025 Q2 | 33.2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 32.9 |
| 2024 Q4 | 31.9 |
| 2024 Q3 | 32.1 |
Download data from our database Other resources: All indicators for South Africa All indicators on the website Article: Are trade deficits bad for the economy? Article: Sources of economic growth Article: Currency values and investment returns All articles
| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force | 26.73 | 2025 | million people |
| Unemployment rate | 32.39 | 2025 | percent |
| Female unemployment | 34.00 | 2025 | percent |
| Male unemployment | 30.99 | 2025 | percent |
| Youth unemployment | 59.93 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force participation | 55.58 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force: percent female | 46.57 | 2025 | percent |
| Female labor force participation | 49.88 | 2025 | percent |
| Male labor force participation | 61.74 | 2025 | percent |
| Self-employment | 17.27 | 2025 | percent |
| Employment | 16.74 | Q2/2026 | million employed people |
| Unemployment rate | 33.60 | Q2/2026 | percent |
| Labor cost | 163.50 | Q4/2025 | index points |