Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa

South Africa: Female labor force participation rates slopes was 49.77 in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
49.77
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
124th
of 194 countries
All-time high
49.77
in 2024
All-time low
16.7
in 1960
Years of data
35
1960–2024

Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa, 1960–2024

203040501960199220241960: 16.71970: 24.11980: 22.81985: 26.71991: 29.51994: 38.91996: 36.61997: 33.81998: 37.11999: 43.92000: 42.62001: 42.22002: 40.82003: 39.92004: 382005: 39.92006: 40.52007: 40.52008: 47.92009: 46.32010: 44.62011: 452012: 45.22013: 46.22014: 46.42015: 47.62016: 47.62017: 48.52018: 48.42019: 48.52020: 44.12021: 45.42022: 47.12023: 492024: 49.8

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa is 49.77, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.

That represents a change of up 1.5% on the previous year and up 7.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa peaked at 49.77 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 16.7, in 1960.

That places South Africa 124th out of 194 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.

Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa, 1960 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1960 16.7
1970 24.1 +44.3%
1980 22.8 -5.4%
1985 26.7 +17.1%
1991 29.5 +10.5%
1994 38.9 +31.9%
1996 36.6 -5.9%
1997 33.8 -7.7%
1998 37.1 +9.8%
1999 43.9 +18.3%
2000 42.61 -2.9%
2001 42.22 -0.9%
2002 40.78 -3.4%
2003 39.91 -2.1%
2004 38.01 -4.8%
2005 39.87 +4.9%
2006 40.5 +1.6%
2007 40.5 +0.0%
2008 47.93 +18.3%
2009 46.26 -3.5%
2010 44.64 -3.5%
2011 45.03 +0.9%
2012 45.22 +0.4%
2013 46.17 +2.1%
2014 46.39 +0.5%
2015 47.64 +2.7%
2016 47.65 +0.0%
2017 48.52 +1.8%
2018 48.42 -0.2%
2019 48.49 +0.1%
2020 44.08 -9.1%
2021 45.35 +2.9%
2022 47.07 +3.8%
2023 49.02 +4.1%
2024 49.77 +1.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 16.7 16.7 16.7 1
1970s 24.1 24.1 24.1 1
1980s 24.75 22.8 26.7 2
1990s 36.63 29.5 43.9 6
2000s 41.86 38.01 47.93 10
2010s 46.82 44.64 48.52 10
2020s 47.06 44.08 49.77 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 121 Cape Verde 50.5 compare
  2. 122 Kuwait 49.9 compare
  3. 123 Philippines 49.86 compare
  4. 125 Guatemala 49.66 compare
  5. 126 Croatia 49.4 compare
  6. 127 Bulgaria 49.3 compare

See the full ranking of 194 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa?
Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa was 49.77 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest female labor force participation rates slopes recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 49.77 in 2024.
What is the lowest female labor force participation rates slopes recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 16.7 in 1960.
How does South Africa rank for female labor force participation rates slopes?
South Africa ranks 124th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
Is female labor force participation rates slopes rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 7.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force participation rates slopes. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female labor force participation rates slopes in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/female-labor-force-participation-rates-slopes/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Female labor force participation rates slopes
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
194 places, 4,756 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed