Arab World vs South Africa: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force)
Arab World
7.5%
in 2025
South Africa
31.0%
in 2025
Arab World rank
4th
South Africa rank
2nd
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) over time
- Arab World
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 31.0% against 7.5% in Arab World, a difference of 23.5%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 4.1 times Arab World's.
Across all 35 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Arab World ranks 4th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 47 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Arab World | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.3% | 20.4% | 9.1% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 9.5% | 20.0% | 10.5% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 8.4% | 23.9% | 15.5% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 8.2% | 30.4% | 22.3% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, male (% of male labor force), Arab World or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 31.0% against 7.5% in Arab World as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, male (% of male labor force) between Arab World and South Africa?
- 23.5%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Arab World and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Arab World and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Arab World ranks 4th and South Africa ranks 2nd of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, male (% of male 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.