Self-employed in South Africa in 2025 — 17.3%. Ranked 129 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 0.3 pp.
1991–2025 · % of employment
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17.3 | −0 pp |
| 2024 | 17.3 | +1 pp |
| 2023 | 16.3 | −0.6 pp |
| 2022 | 16.9 | −0 pp |
| 2021 | 17 | +0.3 pp |
| 2020 | 16.7 | +0.4 pp |
| 2019 | 16.3 | +0.8 pp |
| 2018 | 15.6 | +0.1 pp |
| 2017 | 15.5 | +0.4 pp |
| 2016 | 15.1 | +0.5 pp |
| 2015 | 14.6 | +0.5 pp |
| 2014 | 14.1 | −0.7 pp |
| 2013 | 14.9 | −0.6 pp |
| 2012 | 15.4 | −0.3 pp |
| 2011 | 15.7 | −0 pp |
| 2010 | 15.7 | +0.2 pp |
| 2009 | 15.5 | −0.4 pp |
| 2008 | 15.9 | −0.2 pp |
| 2007 | 16.1 | −1.9 pp |
| 2006 | 18 | +0.5 pp |
| 2005 | 17.5 | +0.8 pp |
| 2004 | 16.8 | −0.2 pp |
| 2003 | 16.9 | −0.1 pp |
| 2002 | 17 | −0.1 pp |
| 2001 | 17.1 | +0.5 pp |
| 2000 | 16.6 | −0.2 pp |
| 1999 | 16.8 | −0.2 pp |
| 1998 | 17 | −0.2 pp |
| 1997 | 17.2 | −0.1 pp |
| 1996 | 17.3 | −0.1 pp |
| 1995 | 17.5 | −0.1 pp |
| 1994 | 17.5 | −0 pp |
| 1993 | 17.6 | +0 pp |
| 1992 | 17.6 | +0 pp |
| 1991 | 17.5 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The share of total employment that is self-employed: employers, own-account workers, members of producers cooperatives and contributing family workers. High values in low-income countries reflect not developed entrepreneurship but the absence of wage jobs and informal work in agriculture and small-scale trade.
Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.
The share of own-account and contributing family workers — with no contract, insurance or guarantees.
Labor Employment-to-population ratioThe share of the population aged 15 and over that actually works.
Business New business densityHow many new companies are registered per 1,000 people of working age.
Labor Employment in agricultureThe share of workers employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing.
