How many years of comparable data are there for BRICS and South Africa?

17 years are reported by both, from 2008 to 2024.

Where does this data come from?

International Labour Organization, published as LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

BRICS vs South Africa: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization

BRICS

243,018

in 2027

South Africa

13,113

in 2024

BRICS rank

5th

South Africa rank

3rd

LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization over time

BRICS
South Africa

How they compare

BRICS currently reports 243,018 against 13,113 in South Africa, a difference of 229,905.

That makes BRICS's figure about 18.5 times South Africa's.

Across all 17 years both countries report, BRICS has been ahead every year.

BRICS ranks 5th and South Africa ranks 3rd of 87 groups.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade	BRICS	South Africa	Difference	Ahead
2000s	259,030	7,302	251,729	BRICS
2010s	259,640	9,399	250,241	BRICS
2020s	259,240	12,765	246,476	BRICS

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization, BRICS or South Africa?: BRICS, at 243,018 against 13,113 in South Africa as of 2027.
What is the difference in lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization between BRICS and South Africa?: 229,905, with BRICS ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for BRICS and South Africa?: 17 years are reported by both, from 2008 to 2024.
How do BRICS and South Africa rank globally for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization?: BRICS ranks 5th and South Africa ranks 3rd of 87 groups.
Where does this data come from?: International Labour Organization, published as LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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BRICS vs South Africa: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/lu4-composite-measure-of-labour-underutilization/brics/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization
Source: International Labour Organization
Licence: ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage: 166 places, 3,284 data points, 1991–2027
Last refreshed: 05 September 2026

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.