Female labor force participation rate in South Africa in 2025 — 49.88%. Ranked 118 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 5.16 pp.
1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.88 | +0.08 pp |
| 2024 | 49.8 | +0.75 pp |
| 2023 | 49.05 | +1.93 pp |
| 2022 | 47.12 | +1.71 pp |
| 2021 | 45.41 | +1.26 pp |
| 2020 | 44.15 | −4.43 pp |
| 2019 | 48.58 | +0.06 pp |
| 2018 | 48.52 | −0.11 pp |
| 2017 | 48.63 | +0.89 pp |
| 2016 | 47.74 | +0.02 pp |
| 2015 | 47.72 | +1.22 pp |
| 2014 | 46.49 | +0.22 pp |
| 2013 | 46.27 | +0.94 pp |
| 2012 | 45.33 | +0.18 pp |
| 2011 | 45.15 | +0.39 pp |
| 2010 | 44.76 | −1.62 pp |
| 2009 | 46.38 | −1.68 pp |
| 2008 | 48.06 | +0.09 pp |
| 2007 | 47.97 | +0.12 pp |
| 2006 | 47.85 | +0.14 pp |
| 2005 | 47.71 | +0.17 pp |
| 2004 | 47.54 | +0.21 pp |
| 2003 | 47.33 | +0.24 pp |
| 2002 | 47.09 | +0.25 pp |
| 2001 | 46.84 | +0.25 pp |
| 2000 | 46.58 | +0.24 pp |
| 1999 | 46.34 | +0.22 pp |
| 1998 | 46.12 | +0.19 pp |
| 1997 | 45.93 | +0.3 pp |
| 1996 | 45.63 | +0.33 pp |
| 1995 | 45.31 | +0.34 pp |
| 1994 | 44.96 | +0.12 pp |
| 1993 | 44.84 | −0.03 pp |
| 1992 | 44.88 | +0.09 pp |
| 1991 | 44.79 | +0.07 pp |
| 1990 | 44.72 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.
Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.
What part of the labor force of a country is made up of women.
Labor Labor force participation rateWhat share of the population aged 15 and over works or looks for work.
Labor Female unemploymentThe unemployment rate of the female part of the labor force.
Demography Total fertility rateHow many children one woman would bear on average if current age-specific fertility held.
