Employment in industry — all countries

Employment in industry — South Africa

Employment in industry in South Africa in 2025 — 20.8%. Ranked 71 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 3.9 pp.

2025 20.8% −0 pp vs 2024
World rank 71of 182
Period maximum 26.3%2004
Period minimum 20.6%2023

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Employment in industry — South Africa, 1991–2025202224262819911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 24.6%1992: 24.6%1993: 24.5%1994: 24.5%1995: 24.4%1996: 24.4%1997: 24.4%1998: 24.5%1999: 24.5%2000: 24.5%2001: 25.3%2002: 25.8%2003: 25.3%2004: 26.3%2005: 26.1%2006: 26.1%2007: 26%2008: 25.9%2009: 25.3%2010: 24.8%2011: 24.2%2012: 23.5%2013: 23.5%2014: 23.5%2015: 23.8%2016: 23.4%2017: 23.4%2018: 23.2%2019: 22.3%2020: 21.2%2021: 20.6%2022: 21.1%2023: 20.6%2024: 20.8%2025: 20.8%
Change over the period: −3.9 pp Annual average: -0.11 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa

South Africa 20.8%
World 23.7%
Southern Africa computed 20.8%
Employment in industry — South Africa, by year South Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 20.8 −0 pp
2024 20.8 +0.2 pp
2023 20.6 −0.5 pp
2022 21.1 +0.5 pp
2021 20.6 −0.6 pp
2020 21.2 −1.1 pp
2019 22.3 −0.9 pp
2018 23.2 −0.2 pp
2017 23.4 −0 pp
2016 23.4 −0.5 pp
2015 23.8 +0.4 pp
2014 23.5 −0.1 pp
2013 23.5 +0 pp
2012 23.5 −0.7 pp
2011 24.2 −0.5 pp
2010 24.8 −0.5 pp
2009 25.3 −0.6 pp
2008 25.9 −0.1 pp
2007 26 −0.1 pp
2006 26.1 +0 pp
2005 26.1 −0.2 pp
2004 26.3 +1 pp
2003 25.3 −0.6 pp
2002 25.8 +0.5 pp
2001 25.3 +0.8 pp
2000 24.5 +0 pp
1999 24.5 +0 pp
1998 24.5 +0.1 pp
1997 24.4 +0 pp
1996 24.4 −0 pp
1995 24.4 −0 pp
1994 24.5 −0 pp
1993 24.5 −0.1 pp
1992 24.6 −0.1 pp
1991 24.6

Southern Africa, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of total employment in industry (mining, manufacturing, electricity, water supply) and in construction. The peak is in countries in the middle of the industrial transition; in postindustrial economies the share declines even as industrial output grows, because of automation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.