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

38 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2027.

Where does this data come from?

International Labour Organization, published as Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

MENA vs South Africa: Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates)

MENA

230,676

in 2027

South Africa

21,899

in 2027

MENA rank

25th

South Africa rank

23rd

Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) over time

MENA
South Africa

How they compare

MENA currently reports 230,676 against 21,899 in South Africa, a difference of 208,777.

That makes MENA's figure about 10.5 times South Africa's.

Across all 38 years both countries report, MENA has been ahead every year.

MENA ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 23rd of 87 groups.

MENA has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	MENA	South Africa	Difference	Ahead
1990s	93,606	11,645	81,961	MENA
2000s	132,043	14,779	117,264	MENA
2010s	171,614	18,443	153,172	MENA
2020s	213,495	21,484	192,011	MENA

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates), MENA or South Africa?: MENA, at 230,676 against 21,899 in South Africa as of 2027.
What is the difference in persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) between MENA and South Africa?: 208,777, with MENA ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for MENA and South Africa?: 38 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2027.
How do MENA and South Africa rank globally for persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates)?: MENA ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 23rd of 87 groups.
Where does this data come from?: International Labour Organization, published as Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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MENA vs South Africa: Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/persons-outside-the-labour-force-ilo-modelled-estimates-15/mena/south-africa/

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<a href="https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/persons-outside-the-labour-force-ilo-modelled-estimates-15/mena/south-africa/">MENA vs South Africa: Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates)</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+)
Source: International Labour Organization
Licence: ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage: 276 places, 10,464 data points, 1990–2027
Last refreshed: 24 August 2026

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. Persons outside the labour force comprise all persons of working age who, during the specified reference period, were not in the labour force (that is, were not employed or unemployed). For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.