Labor force participation rate in South Africa in 2025 — 55.58%. Ranked 136 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 2.51 pp.
1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 55.58 | +0.01 pp |
| 2024 | 55.57 | +0.55 pp |
| 2023 | 55.02 | +1.52 pp |
| 2022 | 53.5 | +1.48 pp |
| 2021 | 52.02 | +1.48 pp |
| 2020 | 50.55 | −4.72 pp |
| 2019 | 55.27 | +0.11 pp |
| 2018 | 55.16 | −0.2 pp |
| 2017 | 55.36 | +0.65 pp |
| 2016 | 54.71 | +0.12 pp |
| 2015 | 54.59 | +1.28 pp |
| 2014 | 53.31 | +0.24 pp |
| 2013 | 53.08 | +0.57 pp |
| 2012 | 52.51 | +0.34 pp |
| 2011 | 52.17 | −0.09 pp |
| 2010 | 52.27 | −1.69 pp |
| 2009 | 53.96 | −1.83 pp |
| 2008 | 55.79 | −0.09 pp |
| 2007 | 55.88 | −0.12 pp |
| 2006 | 55.99 | −0.13 pp |
| 2005 | 56.13 | −0.17 pp |
| 2004 | 56.3 | −0.21 pp |
| 2003 | 56.5 | −0.24 pp |
| 2002 | 56.75 | −0.26 pp |
| 2001 | 57.01 | −0.26 pp |
| 2000 | 57.26 | −0.25 pp |
| 1999 | 57.51 | −0.23 pp |
| 1998 | 57.74 | −0.21 pp |
| 1997 | 57.95 | −0.08 pp |
| 1996 | 58.04 | +0.01 pp |
| 1995 | 58.02 | +0.09 pp |
| 1994 | 57.94 | −0.02 pp |
| 1993 | 57.96 | −0.09 pp |
| 1992 | 58.05 | +0.01 pp |
| 1991 | 58.03 | −0.06 pp |
| 1990 | 58.1 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The share of the population aged 15 and over that belongs to the labor force. It shows how fully a country uses its labor potential. The decline in advanced countries comes from an aging population and longer years of schooling, while low values in developing ones usually come from limited participation by women.
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 Employment-to-population ratioThe share of the population aged 15 and over that actually works.
Demography Age dependency ratioHow many dependents — children and older people — there are per 100 people of working age.
