Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa
South Africa: Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending was 49.9% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa is 49.9%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.2% on the previous year and up 4.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa peaked at 49.9% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 44.1%, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 118th of 185 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 36 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 44.7% | — |
| 1991 | 44.8% | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 44.9% | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 44.8% | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 45.0% | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 45.3% | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 45.6% | +0.7% |
| 1997 | 45.9% | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 46.1% | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 46.3% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 46.6% | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 46.8% | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 47.1% | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 47.3% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 47.5% | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 47.7% | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 47.8% | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 48.0% | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 48.1% | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 46.4% | -3.5% |
| 2010 | 44.8% | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 45.1% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 45.3% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 46.3% | +2.1% |
| 2014 | 46.5% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 47.7% | +2.6% |
| 2016 | 47.7% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 48.6% | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 48.5% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 48.6% | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 44.1% | -9.1% |
| 2021 | 45.4% | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 47.1% | +3.8% |
| 2023 | 49.1% | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 49.8% | +1.5% |
| 2025 | 49.9% | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 45.4% | 44.7% | 46.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 47.3% | 46.4% | 48.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.9% | 44.8% | 48.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 47.6% | 44.1% | 49.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 115 Philippines 50.5% compare
- 116 Cape Verde 50.5% compare
- 117 Bulgaria 50.4% compare
- 119 Belgium 49.8% compare
- 120 El Salvador 49.1% compare
- 121 Eswatini 48.5% compare
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 female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa?
- Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending in South Africa was 49.9% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 49.9% in 2025.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.1% in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending?
- South Africa ranks 118th out of 185 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force participation rates by family benefits public spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).