South Africa's unemployment rate climbed to 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021, up from 34.9% in the previous period. It was the highest jobless rate since comparable data began in 2008. The number of unemployed persons increased by 278 thousand to 7.9 million, employment rose by 262 thousand to 14.5 million and the labour force went up by 540 thousand to 22.5 million. Job losses were primarily observed in manufacturing (-85 thousand) and construction (-35 thousand). On the other hand, private households (+129 thousand), trade (+118 thousand) and community and social services (+73 thousand) reported job gains. The expanded definition of unemployment, including people who have stopped looking for work, was at 46.2%, down slightly from 46.6% in the third quarter. The youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, was unchanged at a record high of 66.5%. source: Statistics South Africa
Unemployment Rate in South Africa averaged 26.45 percent from 2000 until 2021, reaching an all time high of 35.30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 and a record low of 21.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. This page provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2022.
Unemployment Rate in South Africa is expected to be 35.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 35.00 percent in 2023, according to our econometric models.