Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa
South Africa: Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force was 0.4% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa, 1990–2020
Source: The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa is 0.4%, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 5.8% on the previous year and down 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa peaked at 1.7% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 2004.
South Africa ranks 134th of 171 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.6% | — |
| 1991 | 0.5% | -8.2% |
| 1992 | 0.5% | -7.9% |
| 1993 | 0.5% | -2.3% |
| 1994 | 0.5% | -1.7% |
| 1995 | 1.7% | +265.9% |
| 1996 | 1.7% | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 1.3% | -22.9% |
| 1998 | 1.2% | -4.6% |
| 1999 | 0.5% | -63.8% |
| 2000 | 0.4% | -10.0% |
| 2001 | 0.4% | -8.0% |
| 2002 | 0.3% | -12.1% |
| 2003 | 0.3% | -8.8% |
| 2004 | 0.3% | -2.9% |
| 2005 | 0.3% | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 0.5% | +81.3% |
| 2007 | 0.3% | -40.6% |
| 2008 | 0.3% | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 0.4% | +26.7% |
| 2010 | 0.4% | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 0.4% | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 0.3% | -21.9% |
| 2013 | 0.4% | +20.5% |
| 2014 | 0.4% | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 0.4% | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 0.4% | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 0.3% | -3.6% |
| 2018 | 0.4% | +10.0% |
| 2019 | 0.4% | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 0.4% | +5.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.9% | 0.5% | 1.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa?
- Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force in South Africa was 0.4% in 2020, according to The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.7% in 1995.
- What is the lowest armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 2004.
- How does South Africa rank for armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force?
- South Africa ranks 134th out of 171 countries with data for 2020.
- Is armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Armed forces personnel as a share of the total labor force. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if their training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.