Female share of the labor force in South Africa in 2025 — 46.57%. Ranked 73 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 8.81 pp.
1990–2025 · % of labor force
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46.57 | +0.08 pp |
| 2024 | 46.49 | +0.22 pp |
| 2023 | 46.27 | +0.5 pp |
| 2022 | 45.78 | +0.33 pp |
| 2021 | 45.45 | −0.11 pp |
| 2020 | 45.56 | −0.38 pp |
| 2019 | 45.95 | −0.13 pp |
| 2018 | 46.07 | −0.04 pp |
| 2017 | 46.12 | +0.41 pp |
| 2016 | 45.7 | −0.06 pp |
| 2015 | 45.76 | −0.1 pp |
| 2014 | 45.86 | −0.1 pp |
| 2013 | 45.96 | +0.35 pp |
| 2012 | 45.6 | −0.19 pp |
| 2011 | 45.8 | +0.4 pp |
| 2010 | 45.4 | −0.25 pp |
| 2009 | 45.65 | −0.18 pp |
| 2008 | 45.83 | +0.08 pp |
| 2007 | 45.76 | +0.11 pp |
| 2006 | 45.64 | +0.13 pp |
| 2005 | 45.51 | +0.18 pp |
| 2004 | 45.33 | +0.24 pp |
| 2003 | 45.09 | +0.3 pp |
| 2002 | 44.8 | +0.35 pp |
| 2001 | 44.45 | +0.39 pp |
| 2000 | 44.06 | +0.39 pp |
| 1999 | 43.67 | +0.34 pp |
| 1998 | 43.33 | +0.3 pp |
| 1997 | 43.03 | +1.17 pp |
| 1996 | 41.86 | +1.58 pp |
| 1995 | 40.28 | +1.91 pp |
| 1994 | 38.37 | +0.5 pp |
| 1993 | 37.86 | −0.48 pp |
| 1992 | 38.34 | +0.46 pp |
| 1991 | 37.88 | +0.11 pp |
| 1990 | 37.77 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The share of women in the total labor force. It differs from female labor force participation in measuring composition rather than reach: the first answers what part of those working are women, the second what part of women work. Fifty percent would mean complete equality of composition; in most countries it comes to between forty and forty-eight, and in the Gulf states and South Asia to less than twenty.
Important: A measure of composition, not of access: the share can rise because men are leaving the labor market. It is worth reading together with female labor force participation.
Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.
The share of women aged 15 and over who work or look for work — the main indicator of access to employment.
Labor Labor forceThe number of people employed or actively looking for work — the economically active population.
Labor Women in parliamentWhat part of the seats in the national parliament women hold.
Labor Firms with female top managersWhat part of the firms in a country are run by women — from enterprise surveys.
