Least developed countries vs South Africa: Employment in services (% of total employment)
Employment in services (% of total employment) over time
- Least developed countries
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 73.8% against 33.3% in Least developed countries, a difference of 40.5%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 2.2 times Least developed countries's.
Across all 35 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Least developed countries ranks 45th and South Africa ranks 43rd of 47 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Least developed countries | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 22.2% | 66.3% | 44.0% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 25.8% | 67.3% | 41.5% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 30.9% | 71.4% | 40.5% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 32.7% | 73.6% | 40.9% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher employment in services (% of total employment), Least developed countries or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 73.8% against 33.3% in Least developed countries as of 2025.
- What is the difference in employment in services (% of total employment) between Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 40.5%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for employment in services (% of total employment)?
- Least developed countries ranks 45th and South Africa ranks 43rd of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Employment in services (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
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About this data
Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The services sector consists of wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels; transport, storage, and communications; financing, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social, and personal services, in accordance with divisions 6-9 (ISIC 2) or categories G-Q (ISIC 3) or categories G-U (ISIC 4).