Labor force, male in South Africa
South Africa: Labor force, male was 10.62 million in 2011. ▲ Rising
Labor force, male in South Africa, 1990–2011
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on data obtained from International Labour Organization and United Nations Population Division.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 10.62 million for labor force, male in 2011. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.3% on the previous year and up 19.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, male in South Africa peaked at 10.62 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 6.76 million, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 6th of 52 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.53 million | 6.76 million | 8.41 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.62 million | 8.66 million | 10.59 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.50 million | 10.38 million | 10.62 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Criminal penalties or civil remedies sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 61.7% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 80.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 49.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 60.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 65.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 55.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, male in South Africa?
- Labor force, male in South Africa was 10.62 million in 2011, according to World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on data obtained from International Labour Organization and United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest labor force, male recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 10.62 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest labor force, male recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.76 million in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for labor force, male?
- South Africa ranks 6th out of 52 countries with data for 2011.
- Is labor force, male rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on data obtained from International Labour Organization and United Nations Population Division, published as part of Labor force, male. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Male labor force comprises men ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.