Iraq vs South Africa: Population by labor force status bars
Iraq
16.94 million
in 2025
South Africa
16.66 million
in 2025
Iraq rank
25th
South Africa rank
26th
Population by labor force status bars over time
- Iraq
- South Africa
How they compare
Iraq currently reports 16.94 million against 16.66 million in South Africa, a difference of 285,000.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 35 shared years of data; in 1991 it was South Africa ahead.
Iraq ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 26th of 186 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, Iraq averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Iraq | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 9.19 million | 16.48 million | 7.29 million | South Africa |
| 2000s | 11.70 million | 15.63 million | 3.93 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 14.71 million | 15.91 million | 1.20 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 16.61 million | 16.47 million | 137,233 | Iraq |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population by labor force status bars, Iraq or South Africa?
- Iraq, at 16.94 million against 16.66 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population by labor force status bars between Iraq and South Africa?
- 285,000, with Iraq ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Iraq and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Iraq and South Africa rank globally for population by labor force status bars?
- Iraq ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 26th of 186 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Population by labor force status bars. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.