Unemployment rate in South Africa by age group | Statista

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate in South Africa was 27.2 percent among workers aged 35 to 44 years. The figure decreased from 27.7 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. This age group corresponded to the largest share of the labor force participation in the country. Among young South Africans (15 to 24 years), the unemployment rate was at its highest, at 59.6 percent.

Unemployment rate in South Africa from Q1 2019 to Q4 2024, by age group

Characteristic	15-24 years	25-34 years	35-44 years	45-54 years	55-64 years
Q4 2024	59.6%	39.4%	27.2%	20.6%	11.4%
Q3 2024	60.2%	40.4%	27%	19.9%	10.5%
Q2 2024	60.8%	41.7%	28.7%	20.7%	12.5%
Q1 2024	59.7%	40.7%	28.3%	20.8%	11.9%
Q4 2023	59.4%	39%	27.7%	20.4%	11.4%
Q3 2023	58%	38.3%	29%	19.8%	10.9%
Q2 2023	60.7%	39.8%	28.3%	19.9%	10.9%
Q1 2023	62.1%	40.7%	27.9%	18.8%	10.8%
Q4 2022	61%	39.9%	27.6%	20.3%	13.3%
Q3 2022	59.6%	40.5%	27.9%	20.5%	13.2%
Q2 2022	61.4%	41.2%	29%	21.5%	12.9%
Q1 2022	63.9%	42.1%	29.4%	21.8%	12.2%
Q4 2021	66.5%	43.5%	30%	22.8%	11.4%
Q3 2021	66.5%	43.8%	29.1%	21.9%	12.7%
Q2 2021	64.4%	42.9%	29.4%	21%	12.4%
Q1 2021	63.3%	41.3%	27%	20%	13.1%
Q4 2020	63.2%	41.2%	27.4%	19.3%	12.5%
Q3 2020	61.3%	37.8%	26.1%	19.1%	12.6%
Q2 2020	52.3%	28.9%	19.3%	14.2%	9.3%
Q1 2020	59%	37.3%	24%	17.5%	10%
Q4 2019	58.1%	35.6%	23%	17.5%	9.2%
Q3 2019	58.2%	36.1%	22.9%	17.2%	9.9%
Q2 2019	56.4%	35.6%	23.3%	17.2%	10.5%
Q1 2019	55.2%	34.2%	21.7%	15.6%	10.1%

Loading statistic...

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Register for free

Already a member?

Source

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

August 2024

More information

Region

Africa, South Africa

Survey time period

Q1 2019 to Q4 2024

Age group

15-64 years

Supplementary notes

The figures have been taken from several publications

Citation formats

Other statistics on the topic
Employment in South Africa

Total population of South Africa in 2023, by province (in 1,000s)

Demographics

Total population of South Africa 2023, by province

Total population of South Africa in 2024, by age group (in 1,000s)

Demographics

Total population of South Africa 2024, by age group

Unemployment rate in South Africa from Q1 2019 to Q2 2024, by population group

Demographics

Unemployment rate in South Africa 2019-2024, by population group

South Africa: Total population from 2013 to 2023, by gender (in millions)

International

Total population of South Africa 2023, by gender

Access all statistics starting from $2,388 USD yearly ^*

* For commercial use only

For single users

$0 USD

Always free

Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.

Free Statistics

Based on your interests

For single users

$199 USD

per month, billed annually ¹

Free Statistics
Premium Statistics

For teams of up to 5 people

$1,299 USD

per month, billed annually ¹

Free + Premium Statistics
Reports
Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts

Statistics on " Employment in South Africa "

The most important statistics

The most important statistics

The most important statistics

The most important statistics

The most important statistics

Other statistics that may interest you Employment in South Africa

Overview

7

Labor force

6

Employment

7

Unemployment

6

Wages and working hours

7

Further related statistics

10

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

Statistics

Topics

Employment in South Africa

Employment in Tunisia

Employment in Morocco

Employment in Egypt

Employment in Nigeria

All features, all contents, at all times: Learn more about our professional solutions.

* For commercial use only

For single users

$0 USD

Always free

Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.

Free Statistics

Based on your interests

For single users

$199 USD

per month, billed annually ¹

Free Statistics
Premium Statistics

For teams of up to 5 people

$1,299 USD

per month, billed annually ¹

Free + Premium Statistics
Reports
Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts

Learn more about how Statista can support your business.