Northern America vs South Africa: Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person

Northern America
35.79
in 2027
South Africa
41.07
in 2027
Northern America rank
69th
South Africa rank
71st

Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person over time

  • Northern America
  • South Africa
01020304050200520162027

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 41.07 against 35.79 in Northern America, a difference of 5.28.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.1 times Northern America's.

Across all 23 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Northern America ranks 69th and South Africa ranks 71st of 87 groups.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Northern America South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 36.24 44.75 8.51 South Africa
2010s 36.12 42.6 6.48 South Africa
2020s 35.81 41.26 5.45 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher average weekly hours actually worked per employed person, Northern America or South Africa?
South Africa, at 41.07 against 35.79 in Northern America as of 2027.
What is the difference in average weekly hours actually worked per employed person between Northern America and South Africa?
5.28, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Northern America and South Africa?
23 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2027.
How do Northern America and South Africa rank globally for average weekly hours actually worked per employed person?
Northern America ranks 69th and South Africa ranks 71st of 87 groups.
Where does this data come from?
International Labour Organization, published as Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Northern America vs South Africa: Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 28 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/average-weekly-hours-actually-worked-per-employed-person-ilo-modelled-estimates/northern-america/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
276 places, 6,324 data points, 2005–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. This indicator refers to mean weekly hours actually worked per employed person in their main job. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.