Statizoid

Labor force with basic education in South Africa

South Africa: Labor force with basic education was 46.6% in 2024. β–² Rising

Latest (2024)
46.6%
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
69th
of 124 countries
All-time high
47.8%
in 2008
All-time low
36.5%
in 2004
Years of data
24
2000–2024

Labor force with basic education in South Africa, 2000–2024

010203040502000201220242000: 43.2 % of total working-age population with basic education2001: 42 % of total working-age population with basic education2002: 39.8 % of total working-age population with basic education2003: 38.7 % of total working-age population with basic education2004: 36.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2005: 38.2 % of total working-age population with basic education2006: 37.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2007: 37.2 % of total working-age population with basic education2008: 47.8 % of total working-age population with basic education2009: 46 % of total working-age population with basic education2010: 44.4 % of total working-age population with basic education2011: 44.2 % of total working-age population with basic education2013: 44.8 % of total working-age population with basic education2014: 45.2 % of total working-age population with basic education2015: 46.8 % of total working-age population with basic education2016: 46.9 % of total working-age population with basic education2017: 47.3 % of total working-age population with basic education2018: 47.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2019: 47.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2020: 42.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2021: 43.7 % of total working-age population with basic education2022: 44.5 % of total working-age population with basic education2023: 45.9 % of total working-age population with basic education2024: 46.6 % of total working-age population with basic education

Source: Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO). Measured in % of total working-age population with basic education.

Analysis

The most recent figure for labor force with basic education in South Africa is 46.6%, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of up 1.6% on the previous year and up 3.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force with basic education in South Africa peaked at 47.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 36.5%, in 2004.

South Africa ranks 69th of 124 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 40.7% 36.5% 47.8% 10
2010s 46.1% 44.2% 47.5% 9
2020s 44.7% 42.5% 46.6% 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 66 Denmark 48.0% compare
  2. 67 Turkey 47.8% compare
  3. 68 Fiji 46.7% compare
  4. 70 Germany 46.1% compare
  5. 71 Argentina 46.1% compare
  6. 72 Spain 45.9% compare

See the full ranking of 143 places β†’

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force with basic education in South Africa?
Labor force with basic education in South Africa was 46.6% in 2024, according to Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest labor force with basic education recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 47.8% in 2008.
What is the lowest labor force with basic education recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 36.5% in 2004.
How does South Africa rank for labor force with basic education?
South Africa ranks 69th out of 124 countries with data for 2024.
Is labor force with basic education rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 3.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force with basic education (% of total working-age population with basic education). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor force with basic education in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-with-basic-education-percent-of-total-working-age-population-with-basic/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force with basic education (% of total working-age population with basic education)
Unit
% of total working-age population with basic education
Source
Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
143 places, 2,669 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The ratio of the labor force with basic education to the working-age population with basic education. Basic education comprises primary education or lower secondary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).