Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) vs South Africa: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force)
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD)
13.3%
in 2025
South Africa
34.0%
in 2025
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) rank
2nd
South Africa rank
4th
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) over time
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD)
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 34.0% against 13.3% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD), a difference of 20.7%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 2.6 times Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD)'s.
Across all 35 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 4th of 47 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.4% | 26.7% | 14.2% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 12.4% | 25.8% | 13.4% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 13.5% | 28.0% | 14.5% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 13.6% | 34.3% | 20.6% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, female (% of female labor force), Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 34.0% against 13.3% in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, female (% of female labor force) between Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa?
- 20.7%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (IDA & IBRD) ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 4th of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.