Youth unemployment rate — World Bank / ILO modeled estimate (15–24)
ILO modeled estimate published by World Bank: unemployed youth as a percentage of the labor force ages 15–24. Not the percentage of all youth or graduates without work. Separate from the count-based derived unemployment rate.
YOUTH_UNEMPLOYMENT_RATE_WB_ILO · raw · annual · percent
Youth unemployment rate — World Bank / ILO modeled estimate (15–24)
ILO modeled estimate published by World Bank: unemployed youth as a percentage of the labor force ages 15–24. Not the percentage of all youth or graduates without work. Separate from the count-based derived unemployment rate.
Data and evidence
Youth unemployment rate — World Bank / ILO modeled estimate (15–24)
South Africa
| Period | Value | Status | Provenance & calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Unavailable percent | missing | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14976 · revision 1
Value Missing · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: Missing · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1991 | ≈ 43.49
Exact value43.4910000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14975 · revision 1
Value 43.4910000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.4910000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1992 | ≈ 44.07
Exact value44.0650000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14974 · revision 1
Value 44.0650000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 44.0650000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1993 | ≈ 44.32
Exact value44.3220000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14973 · revision 1
Value 44.3220000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 44.3220000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1994 | ≈ 43.89
Exact value43.8920000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14972 · revision 1
Value 43.8920000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.8920000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1995 | 42.81 percent | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14971 · revision 1
Value 42.8100000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 42.8100000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1996 | ≈ 42.14
Exact value42.1420000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14970 · revision 1
Value 42.1420000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 42.1420000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1997 | ≈ 42.09
Exact value42.0930000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14969 · revision 1
Value 42.0930000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 42.0930000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1998 | ≈ 42.64
Exact value42.6370000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14968 · revision 1
Value 42.6370000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 42.6370000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 1999 | ≈ 43.11
Exact value43.1080000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14967 · revision 1
Value 43.1080000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.1080000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2000 | ≈ 43.19
Exact value43.1850000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14966 · revision 1
Value 43.1850000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.1850000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2001 | 43.21 percent | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14965 · revision 1
Value 43.2100000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.2100000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2002 | 43.35 percent | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14964 · revision 1
Value 43.3500000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.3500000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2003 | ≈ 43.80
Exact value43.7960000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14963 · revision 1
Value 43.7960000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.7960000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2004 | ≈ 43.86
Exact value43.8630000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14962 · revision 1
Value 43.8630000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.8630000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2005 | 43.93 percent | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14961 · revision 1
Value 43.9300000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.9300000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2006 | ≈ 43.87
Exact value43.8680000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14960 · revision 1
Value 43.8680000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 43.8680000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2007 | ≈ 44.04
Exact value44.0440000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14959 · revision 1
Value 44.0440000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 44.0440000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2008 | ≈ 44.58
Exact value44.5770000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14958 · revision 1
Value 44.5770000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 44.5770000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2009 | ≈ 47.47
Exact value47.4730000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14957 · revision 1
Value 47.4730000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 47.4730000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2010 | ≈ 50.45
Exact value50.4510000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14956 · revision 1
Value 50.4510000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 50.4510000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2011 | ≈ 49.75
Exact value49.7450000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14955 · revision 1
Value 49.7450000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 49.7450000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2012 | ≈ 51.32
Exact value51.3220000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14954 · revision 1
Value 51.3220000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 51.3220000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2013 | ≈ 51.21
Exact value51.2050000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14953 · revision 1
Value 51.2050000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 51.2050000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2014 | ≈ 51.19
Exact value51.1940000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14952 · revision 1
Value 51.1940000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 51.1940000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2015 | ≈ 50.12
Exact value50.1150000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14951 · revision 1
Value 50.1150000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 50.1150000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2016 | ≈ 53.45
Exact value53.4520000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14950 · revision 1
Value 53.4520000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 53.4520000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2017 | ≈ 53.40
Exact value53.3960000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14949 · revision 1
Value 53.3960000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 53.3960000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2018 | ≈ 53.63
Exact value53.6340000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14948 · revision 1
Value 53.6340000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 53.6340000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2019 | ≈ 57.32
Exact value57.3170000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14947 · revision 1
Value 57.3170000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 57.3170000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2020 | ≈ 59.61
Exact value59.6070000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14946 · revision 1
Value 59.6070000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 59.6070000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2021 | ≈ 65.45
Exact value65.4510000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14945 · revision 1
Value 65.4510000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 65.4510000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2022 | ≈ 61.68
Exact value61.6760000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14944 · revision 1
Value 61.6760000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 61.6760000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2023 | ≈ 60.26
Exact value60.2590000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14943 · revision 1
Value 60.2590000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 60.2590000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2024 | ≈ 60.25
Exact value60.2480000000 | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14942 · revision 1
Value 60.2480000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 60.2480000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:48 · source revision unspecified |
| 2025 | 59.93 percent | available | Inspect evidence
World Bank — World Development Indicators · observation #14941 · revision 1
Value 59.9300000000 · reported · Published Unknown · Retrieved 2026-10-14 Source referenceILO modeled estimate for ages 15–24; unemployment as a share of the youth labor force, not all youth. Provider world_bank · indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS · dataset 2 · modeled estimate Dataset updated 2026-10-08 (not observation publication date) Revision historyRevision 1: 59.9300000000 · Initial observation · 2026-10-14 12:49:47 · source revision unspecified |
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