Other small states vs South Africa: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force)
Other small states
8.6%
in 2025
South Africa
32.4%
in 2025
Other small states rank
4th
South Africa rank
2nd
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) over time
- Other small states
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 32.4% against 8.6% in Other small states, a difference of 23.8%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 3.8 times Other small states's.
Across all 35 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Other small states 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 | Other small states | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 9.6% | 22.9% | 13.4% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 10.2% | 22.6% | 12.4% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 10.0% | 25.8% | 15.8% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 9.0% | 32.2% | 23.2% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, total (% of total labor force), Other small states or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 32.4% against 8.6% in Other small states as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, total (% of total labor force) between Other small states and South Africa?
- 23.8%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Other small states and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Other small states and South Africa rank globally for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Other small states 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, total (% of total 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.