South Africa Unemployment Rate
Last Release
Sep 2019
Actual
29.1 %
Forecast
27.3 %
Previous
29 %
Frequency
Quarterly
Units In
%
Next Release
Feb 11, 2020
Time to Release
15 Days 9 Hours
Highest | Lowest | Average | Date Range | Source |
30.4 % Sep 2002 | 21.5 % Dec 2008 | 25.73 % | 2000 - 2019 | Statistics South Africa |
In South Africa, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Latest Updates
The unemployment rate in South Africa edged up to 29.1 percent in the Q3 2019, its highest level since comparable data began in Q1 2008, matching market expectations. The number of unemployed rose by 78 thousand to 6.73 million while employment increased by 62 thousand to 16.38 million.
South Africa Unemployment Rate History
Last 12 readings
Latest Releases and Calendar Events
News
All News| DATE | TIME | TITLE |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2019 | 11:45 | South Africa Jobless Rate Steady at Over 11-Year High |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 10:18 | South Africa Jobless Rate Highest since 2003 |
| May 14, 2019 | 11:13 | South Africa Jobless Rate at 1-1/2-Year High of 27.6% |
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South Africa labour Indicators
All South Africa indicatorsIndicator | Last | Previous | Min | Max | Unit | Frequency | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Rate | 42.4 Sep 2019 | 42.44 Jun 2019 | 41 Mar 2004 | 46.17 Dec 2008 | % | Quarterly | 2000 - 2019 |
| Living Wage Individual | 6,570 Dec 2018 | 6,140 Dec 2017 | 6,140 Dec 2017 | 6,570 Dec 2018 | ZAR/Month | Yearly | 2015 - 2018 |
| Labor Force Participation Rate | 59.9 Sep 2019 | 59.8 Jun 2019 | 53.6 Dec 2010 | 60.8 Mar 2001 | % | Quarterly | 2001 - 2019 |
| Labour Costs | 161.1 Jun 2019 | 157 Mar 2019 | 1 Mar 1970 | 161.1 Jun 2019 | points | Quarterly | 1970 - 2019 |
| Population | 58.78 Jun 2019 | 57.73 Jun 2018 | 17.46 Dec 1960 | 58.78 Jun 2019 | Million | Yearly | 1960 - 2019 |
| Living Wage Family | 11,300 Dec 2018 | 10,700 Dec 2017 | 10,700 Dec 2017 | 11,300 Dec 2018 | ZAR/Month | Yearly | 2015 - 2018 |
Unemployment Rate across Africa
Unemployment Rate global viewCountry | Last | Previous | Min | Max | Unit | Frequency | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 11.7 Sep 2018 | 11.1 Apr 2018 | 9.8 Mar 2014 | 29.5 Sep 2000 | % | Quarterly | 1999 - 2018 |
| Angola | 30.7 Sep 2019 | 29 Jun 2019 | 19.9 Dec 2016 | 35 Dec 2005 | % | Quarterly | 2005 - 2019 |
| Benin | 2.1 Dec 2018 | 2.5 Dec 2017 | 0.7 Dec 2002 | 2.7 Dec 2011 | % | Yearly | 1991 - 2018 |
| Botswana | 17.9 Dec 2018 | 17.6 Dec 2017 | 13.9 Dec 1991 | 26.2 Dec 2008 | % | Yearly | 1991 - 2018 |
| Burkina Faso | 6.1 Dec 2018 | 6 Dec 2017 | 0.9 Dec 1985 | 6.7 Dec 2015 | % | Yearly | 1985 - 2018 |
| Burundi | 1.5 Dec 2018 | 1.5 Dec 2017 | 1.5 Dec 1992 | 19.5 Dec 1990 | % | Yearly | 1990 - 2018 |