Dashboard

South Africa's official unemployment rate fell to 31.4% in Q4 2025 — the lowest since Q2 2022 — as 44,000 more people found work. The number of employed persons rose to 17.1 million. The expanded unemployment rate (including discouraged work-seekers) stands at 40.7%.

Youth unemployment (ages 15–34) declined to 44.8% in Q4 2025. Among those aged 15–24, the rate stands at 61.4% — meaning roughly 6 in 10 young South Africans who want work cannot find it. South Africa's youth unemployment is among the highest globally.

42.7% of working-age South Africans (ages 15–64) were either employed or actively seeking work in Q4 2025. This participation rate remains among the lowest globally, partly reflecting large numbers of discouraged work-seekers who have given up looking for jobs.

Narrow youth unemployment rate for those aged 15–34 who are without work, available for work, and actively seeking employment.

Unemployment rate among 15–24 year olds — among the highest in the world. This cohort faces structural barriers including lack of experience, skills mismatch, and geographic concentration of youth outside economic centres.

The expanded youth unemployment rate includes discouraged work-seekers — those who have given up actively looking for work. This is a more comprehensive measure of labour market distress among youth.

Percentage of youth aged 15–24 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). This captures both unemployment and disengagement from the education system — a key indicator of social exclusion risk.

The labour force participation rate (LFPR) is the percentage of the working-age population (15–64) that is economically active — either employed or actively looking for work. South Africa's LFPR remains among the lowest of comparable middle-income countries, partly due to high rates of discouragement.

Labour force participation rate for women aged 15–64. The gender gap in participation (about 10 percentage points) reflects structural barriers including care responsibilities, transport access, and sectoral concentration.

South Africa's headline CPI rose to 4.0% year-on-year in April 2026 — the steepest reading since August 2024. The main drivers were a sharp jump in fuel prices (+18% annually), higher electricity tariffs, and insurance costs. Food inflation eased to 2.9%. Core inflation (ex-food, fuel, energy) rose to 3.6%. This moves inflation above the SARB's new 3% target midpoint.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation eased to 2.9% in April 2026, continuing its decline from 2023 highs above 14%. Strong farm output has moderated food prices. Meat prices remain elevated year-on-year despite recent monthly declines. Bread and cereals saw mixed trends.

The SARB held the repo rate at 6.75% at the March 2026 MPC meeting — the second consecutive hold. The decision was unanimous. The MPC cited the Iran war-related oil price shock as creating upside inflation risk. The prime lending rate remains at 10.25%. The SARB's new inflation target is 3% (±1pp), adopted November 2025.

South Africa's full-year average headline CPI for 2025 was 3.2% — the lowest annual average in 21 years, confirmed by Stats SA in January 2026. This represents a dramatic improvement from 2022's peak of 6.9% and reflects the impact of aggressive SARB rate hikes and falling global commodity prices.

South Africa's real GDP grew 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2025, seasonally adjusted and annualised, above expectations of 0.3%. This marked the fifth consecutive quarter of expansion. Finance led growth (+1.4%), while manufacturing was the largest drag (-0.6%). For the full year 2025, GDP rose 1.1% — the strongest annual growth since 2022.

South Africa's real GDP grew 1.1% for the full year 2025, the strongest annual rate since 2022. Growth was broad-based despite ongoing headwinds from high borrowing costs and slow global demand. Manufacturing registered its second year of negative growth; construction posted its ninth straight year of decline.

South Africa's nominal GDP for 2025 at current prices. Nominal growth reflects both real output and price-level changes. The economy remains the second largest in Africa by nominal GDP, behind Nigeria.

Nominal GDP per capita for 2025 at current prices, estimated from nominal GDP and mid-year population. In USD terms at average 2025 exchange rates (~R18.60/$), this is approximately $6,500 per person.

The repurchase (repo) rate is the benchmark interest rate set by the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). It is the rate at which the SARB lends short-term money to commercial banks and is the primary instrument of inflation targeting.

The prime lending rate is the benchmark rate at which commercial banks lend to their most creditworthy clients. It is conventionally set at repo rate + 3.5 percentage points. Most consumer and business loans are priced relative to prime.

Total murder cases reported nationally for the 2023/24 financial year (April 2023 – March 2024). This is the first decline in four years, equating to approximately 72 murders per day. The rate is 41.9 per 100,000 population.

Contact crimes include assault GBH, common assault, robbery with aggravating circumstances, common robbery, sexual offences, and murder. Total contact crimes declined for the 2023/24 reporting period.

Robberies involving a weapon, violence, or the threat of violence for the 2023/24 financial year. This category includes carjacking, truck hijacking, house robbery, and bank robbery.

The national senior certificate (matric) pass rate for the 2024 academic year, the highest on record. Bachelor's degree passes (qualifying for university entrance) were achieved by 47.8% of candidates. 1,044,415 candidates wrote the examinations.

Proportion of adults aged 20 and older who can read and write, as recorded in the 2022 National Census. This represents significant improvement from 85.0% in 2011. The next census is expected in 2032.

Total headcount enrolments at public universities for the 2023 academic year, across 26 public higher education institutions. This excludes TVET colleges and private higher education institutions.

South Africa's estimated total population for mid-2024, based on Stats SA's mid-year population estimates. The 2022 Census counted 62.0 million. Annual population growth is estimated at approximately 1.4%.

Percentage of the population living in urban areas, as recorded in Census 2022. Gauteng alone accounts for over a quarter of South Africa's population. The Northern Cape remains the least densely populated province.

The median age of the South African population as measured in Census 2022. At 28 years, South Africa has a relatively young population, with significant implications for labour markets, education, and social services.

Percentage of households with access to piped water inside their dwelling as per Census 2022. Rural provinces continue to lag significantly — Limpopo (38%) and Eastern Cape (42%) have the lowest access rates.

Percentage of households connected to the electrical grid as per Census 2022. Despite near-universal connectivity, load-shedding (scheduled power cuts) severely impacts effective access and remains a major economic drag.

Percentage of households living in formal dwellings (brick/concrete houses, flats, townhouses) as per Census 2022. Approximately 14.8% live in informal dwellings (shacks). Gauteng has the highest proportion of informal settlements.

Total private households counted in Census 2022. Average household size has declined from 3.4 persons in 2011 to 3.0 in 2022, reflecting changing family structures and increasing urbanisation.

Percentage of households with internet access (including mobile data) per Census 2022. In 2011 only 31% had access. The rapid expansion of mobile internet (4G/LTE) is the primary driver.

Percentage of individuals 15 years and older who reported no income in Census 2022. This includes the unemployed, students, and those who are economically inactive. The decline reflects expanding social grants and labour market changes.