Key findings: Report-03-19-09 - Marginalised Groups Series VII: The Social Profile of the Youth, 2014-2024 ,

  • The youth population in South Africa increased from 20,4 million in 2014 to 20,9 million 2024.

  • Unemployment and inactivity rate for youth decreased between 2014 and 2024.

  • Unemployed youth were most likely to have less than matric as the highest level of education, whilst young graduates and youth with other qualification were least likely to be unemployed.

  • Assault, robbery, and theft of personal property crimes were more common among youth than among adults.

  • 5,3% of the youth population in South Africa were immigrants, with the young immigrants found mainly in Gauteng (51,3%) and Western Cape (15,3%).

  • Although, the percentage of youth with disabilities slightly decreased for the reference period, provincial disparities showed that Free State recorded a highest increase.

  • The percentage of youth deaths recorded decreased from 16,3% in 2014 to 12,2% in 2020.