The youth unemployment rate in South Africa, which measures job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell to a two-year low of 58.5% in Q3 2025, compared to 62.2% in the previous quarter. Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa averaged 56.58 percent from 2013 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 66.50 percent in the third quarter of 2021 and a record low of 48.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014. source: Statistics South Africa

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa is expected to be 59.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 58.00 percent in 2026 and 60.50 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 17055.00 16807.00 Sep 2025
Employment Rate 40.70 40.20 percent Sep 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.70 60.20 percent Sep 2025
Population 63.02 62.20 Million Dec 2024
Unemployed Persons 8007.00 8367.00 Thousand Sep 2025
Unemployment Rate 31.90 33.20 percent Sep 2025
Wages 29490.00 29402.00 ZAR/Month Sep 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 24998.00 24464.00 ZAR/Month Sep 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 58.50 62.20 percent Sep 2025


South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
58.50 62.20 66.50 48.80 2013 - 2025 percent Quarterly