Employment-to-population ratio in South Africa in 2025 — 37.58%. Ranked 168 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 7.03 pp.
1991–2025 · % of population aged 15+
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37.58 | −0.05 pp |
| 2024 | 37.63 | +0.27 pp |
| 2023 | 37.36 | +1.66 pp |
| 2022 | 35.7 | +1.37 pp |
| 2021 | 34.33 | −1.45 pp |
| 2020 | 35.78 | −3.76 pp |
| 2019 | 39.53 | −0.79 pp |
| 2018 | 40.32 | −0.07 pp |
| 2017 | 40.39 | +0.2 pp |
| 2016 | 40.2 | −0.67 pp |
| 2015 | 40.86 | +0.82 pp |
| 2014 | 40.04 | +0 pp |
| 2013 | 40.04 | +0.52 pp |
| 2012 | 39.52 | +0.21 pp |
| 2011 | 39.32 | −0.05 pp |
| 2010 | 39.37 | −1.9 pp |
| 2009 | 41.26 | −2.02 pp |
| 2008 | 43.29 | −0.15 pp |
| 2007 | 43.44 | −0.07 pp |
| 2006 | 43.51 | −0.01 pp |
| 2005 | 43.52 | −0.08 pp |
| 2004 | 43.59 | −0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 43.69 | −0.25 pp |
| 2002 | 43.94 | −0.16 pp |
| 2001 | 44.09 | −0.12 pp |
| 2000 | 44.21 | −0.13 pp |
| 1999 | 44.35 | −0.26 pp |
| 1998 | 44.61 | −0.27 pp |
| 1997 | 44.89 | −0.09 pp |
| 1996 | 44.98 | +0.13 pp |
| 1995 | 44.85 | +0.28 pp |
| 1994 | 44.57 | +0.16 pp |
| 1993 | 44.42 | −0.01 pp |
| 1992 | 44.43 | −0.18 pp |
| 1991 | 44.61 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The ratio of the employed to the population aged 15 and over. Unlike the unemployment rate it does not depend on whether a person is looking for work, so it captures the actual involvement of the population in the economy better. Employment and unemployment together give the full picture: low unemployment alongside low employment means mass withdrawal from the labor force.
Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.
How much output one employed person creates in a year — in constant PPP dollars.
Labor Unemployment rateThe share of the labor force that is looking for work and available to start.
Labor Labor force participation rateWhat share of the population aged 15 and over works or looks for work.
Labor Self-employedThe share of workers who work for themselves — from entrepreneurs to the informally employed.
