Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Southern Africa

Female share of the labor force in Southern Africa in 2025 — 46.6%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 8.03 pp.

2025 46.6% +0.08 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 46.6%2025
Period minimum 38.57%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Southern Africa, 1990–202537.54042.54547.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 38.57%1991: 38.67%1992: 39.09%1993: 38.68%1994: 39.14%1995: 40.84%1996: 42.26%1997: 43.31%1998: 43.59%1999: 43.93%2000: 44.29%2001: 44.65%2002: 44.96%2003: 45.24%2004: 45.46%2005: 45.63%2006: 45.76%2007: 45.87%2008: 45.94%2009: 45.79%2010: 45.57%2011: 45.92%2012: 45.76%2013: 46.12%2014: 46%2015: 45.89%2016: 45.8%2017: 46.18%2018: 46.16%2019: 46.04%2020: 45.7%2021: 45.62%2022: 45.88%2023: 46.33%2024: 46.52%2025: 46.6%
Change over the period: +8.03 pp Annual average: 0.23 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Africa 46.6%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 46.6 +0.08 pp
2024 46.52 +0.19 pp
2023 46.33 +0.45 pp
2022 45.88 +0.26 pp
2021 45.62 −0.09 pp
2020 45.7 −0.34 pp
2019 46.04 −0.12 pp
2018 46.16 −0.02 pp
2017 46.18 +0.38 pp
2016 45.8 −0.08 pp
2015 45.89 −0.12 pp
2014 46 −0.11 pp
2013 46.12 +0.36 pp
2012 45.76 −0.16 pp
2011 45.92 +0.35 pp
2010 45.57 −0.22 pp
2009 45.79 −0.15 pp
2008 45.94 +0.07 pp
2007 45.87 +0.1 pp
2006 45.76 +0.13 pp
2005 45.63 +0.17 pp
2004 45.46 +0.23 pp
2003 45.24 +0.27 pp
2002 44.96 +0.32 pp
2001 44.65 +0.36 pp
2000 44.29 +0.36 pp
1999 43.93 +0.34 pp
1998 43.59 +0.28 pp
1997 43.31 +1.06 pp
1996 42.26 +1.41 pp
1995 40.84 +1.7 pp
1994 39.14 +0.45 pp
1993 38.68 −0.41 pp
1992 39.09 +0.42 pp
1991 38.67 +0.11 pp
1990 38.57

About the indicator

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.