South Africa: Male unemployment

The latest value from 2025 is 30.99 percent, an increase from 30.41 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 6.24 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2025 is 23 percent. The minimum value, 19.51 percent, was reached in 2007 while the maximum of 32.1 percent was recorded in 2021. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

Definition: Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.