Trend of Annual Unemployment Rate of South Africa

Updated on May 15, 2026.

According to recent data from the World Bank, the total unemployment rate of South Africa was 32.39% in 2026, a difference of +0.11 points compared to 2025; and the total labor force of South Africa in 2026 was 26,731,522. The most recent figures on male and female unemployment rates were 30.99% and 34% respectively in 2026.

The chart and table below shows the trend of the total, male, and female unemployment rates of South Africa for 1992-2026.

You can see similar information for other countries.

The World Bank defines unemployment rate as "the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment".

You may also be interested in:
Trend of Annual Youth Unemployment Rate of South Africa.

Related Topics: World Bank Topic List

Data Source: World Bank.

Trend of Annual Unemployment Rate of South Africa (%)

Total

Male

Female

Trend of Annual Unemployment Rate of South Africa

0 of 0

Year	Total Unempl.(%)	Male Unempl.(%)	Female Unempl.(%)
1991	23.14	20.74	27.07
1992	23.46	21.01	27.41
1993	23.36	20.94	27.33
1994	23.07	20.65	26.96
1995	22.71	20.21	26.41
1996	22.5	19.94	26.06
1997	22.55	19.92	26.03
1998	22.74	20.07	26.23
1999	22.88	20.18	26.37
2000	22.79	20.08	26.23
2001	22.65	19.93	26.05
2002	22.58	19.85	25.94
2003	22.68	19.93	26.03
2004	22.57	19.81	25.89
2005	22.47	19.72	25.77
2006	22.3	19.56	25.57
2007	22.26	19.51	25.52
2008	22.41	19.64	25.68
2009	23.52	21.86	25.5
2010	24.68	22.8	26.94
2011	24.64	22.52	27.15
2012	24.73	22.81	27.01
2013	24.56	22.92	26.49
2014	24.89	23.12	26.98
2015	25.15	23.17	27.49
2016	26.54	24.51	28.95
2017	27.04	25.17	29.22
2018	26.91	25.11	29.01
2019	28.47	26.76	30.48
2020	29.22	27.72	31
2021	34.01	32.1	36.3
2022	33.27	31.48	35.38
2023	32.1	29.98	34.56
2024	32.28	30.41	34.44
2025	32.39	30.99	34