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. A year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 27.5 percent. Unemployment Rate in South Africa averaged 25.77 percent from 2000 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 31.20 percent in the first quarter of 2003 and a record low of 21.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. source: Statistics South Africa

Unemployment Rate in South Africa is expected to be 27.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Unemployment Rate in South Africa to stand at 28.30 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the South Africa Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 29.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.

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South Africa Unemployment Rate

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
29.10 29.00 30.40 21.50 2000 - 2019 percent Quarterly
SA


Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2019-02-12 09:30 AM Q4 27.1% 27.5% 27.40%
2019-05-14 09:30 AM Q1 27.6% 27.1% 27.60%
2019-07-30 09:30 AM Q2 29% 27.6% 27.80%
2019-10-29 09:30 AM Q3 29.1% 29% 29.1% 29.4%
2020-02-11 09:30 AM Q4 29.1% 27.3%
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News Stream
2019-07-30
South Africa Jobless Rate Highest since 2003
The unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 29 percent in the second quarter of 2019 from 27.6 in the previous period. It was the highest jobless rate since the first quarter of 2003, as the number of unemployed rose by 455 thousand to 6.65 million and employment rose by 21 thousand to 16.31 million. A year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 27.2 percent.

2019-05-14
South Africa Jobless Rate at 1-1/2-Year High of 27.6%
The unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 27.6 percent in the first quarter of 2019 from 27.1 percent in the previous period. It is the highest jobless rate since Q3 2017, as the number of unemployed went up by 62 thousand to 6.20 million and employment fell by 237 thousand to 16.29 million. The unemployment rate usually rises in the first quarter of the year, as temporary staff hired to work over the busy festive season is dismissed. However, a year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 26.7 percent.

2019-02-12
South Africa Jobless Rate Drops to 27.1% in Q4
The unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 27.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 from 27.5 percent in the previous period. The number of unemployed went down by 70 thousand to 6.14 million and employment rose by 149 thousand to 16.53 million. The unemployment rate usually falls in the last quarter of the year, due to higher job activity during the festive season. However, a year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 26.7 percent.


South Africa Unemployment Rate
In South Africa, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.

South Africa Labour Last Previous Highest Lowest Unit
Unemployment Rate 29.10 29.00 30.40 21.50 percent [+]
Employed Persons 10142000.00 10172000.00 10174000.00 3694977.00 [+]
Unemployed Persons 6733.71 6655.00 6733.71 3873.00 Thousand [+]
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.90 59.80 60.80 53.60 percent [+]
Labour Costs 161.10 157.00 161.10 1.00 points [+]
Wages 21966.00 21432.00 21966.00 6742.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Wages in Manufacturing 19122.00 18798.00 19122.00 6250.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Population 58.78 57.73 58.78 17.46 Million [+]
Retirement Age Women 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 [+]
Retirement Age Men 60.00 60.00 65.00 60.00 [+]
Wages High Skilled 22600.00 20300.00 22600.00 19000.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Living Wage Family 11300.00 10700.00 11300.00 10700.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Living Wage Individual 6570.00 6140.00 6570.00 6140.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Wages Low Skilled 4380.00 3960.00 4380.00 3840.00 ZAR/Month [+]
Youth Unemployment Rate 58.20 56.40 58.20 48.80 percent [+]
Employment Rate 42.40 42.44 46.17 41.00 percent [+]