Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Southern Africa

Vulnerable employment in Southern Africa in 2025 — 13.76%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 0.73 pp.

2025 13.76% −0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 14.5%1992
Period minimum 11.56%2014

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Southern Africa, 1991–2025111213141519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 14.49%1992: 14.5%1993: 14.48%1994: 14.4%1995: 14.3%1996: 14.15%1997: 14.01%1998: 13.85%1999: 13.65%2000: 13.45%2001: 13.72%2002: 13.6%2003: 13.46%2004: 13.22%2005: 13.9%2006: 13.81%2007: 12.94%2008: 12.78%2009: 12.81%2010: 12.89%2011: 12.86%2012: 12.79%2013: 12.34%2014: 11.56%2015: 11.9%2016: 11.93%2017: 12.3%2018: 12.72%2019: 12.98%2020: 13.11%2021: 13.31%2022: 13.47%2023: 13.13%2024: 13.8%2025: 13.76%
Change over the period: −0.73 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Africa 13.76%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 13.76 −0.04 pp
2024 13.8 +0.67 pp
2023 13.13 −0.35 pp
2022 13.47 +0.16 pp
2021 13.31 +0.21 pp
2020 13.11 +0.12 pp
2019 12.98 +0.26 pp
2018 12.72 +0.42 pp
2017 12.3 +0.37 pp
2016 11.93 +0.03 pp
2015 11.9 +0.34 pp
2014 11.56 −0.78 pp
2013 12.34 −0.44 pp
2012 12.79 −0.08 pp
2011 12.86 −0.03 pp
2010 12.89 +0.09 pp
2009 12.81 +0.03 pp
2008 12.78 −0.16 pp
2007 12.94 −0.87 pp
2006 13.81 −0.1 pp
2005 13.9 +0.68 pp
2004 13.22 −0.24 pp
2003 13.46 −0.15 pp
2002 13.6 −0.12 pp
2001 13.72 +0.27 pp
2000 13.45 −0.21 pp
1999 13.65 −0.19 pp
1998 13.85 −0.17 pp
1997 14.01 −0.14 pp
1996 14.15 −0.15 pp
1995 14.3 −0.1 pp
1994 14.4 −0.08 pp
1993 14.48 −0.03 pp
1992 14.5 +0.02 pp
1991 14.49

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.