Labor participation rate, female in South Africa
South Africa: Labor participation rate, female was 62.7% in 2011. ▲ Rising
Labor participation rate, female in South Africa, 1990–2011
Source: International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database. Measured in % of female population ages 25-54.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor participation rate, female in South Africa is 62.7%, measured in 2011.
That represents a change of up 0.7% on the previous year and up 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor participation rate, female in South Africa peaked at 66.0% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 43.7%, in 1990.
That places South Africa 35th out of 52 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Labor participation rate, female in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of female population ages 25-54 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43.7% | — |
| 1991 | 45.7% | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 48.1% | +5.3% |
| 1993 | 50.1% | +4.2% |
| 1994 | 51.9% | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 53.5% | +3.1% |
| 1996 | 54.9% | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 56.4% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 58.0% | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 59.4% | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 60.4% | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 61.5% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 62.5% | +1.5% |
| 2003 | 63.4% | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 63.7% | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 64.0% | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 64.3% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 64.6% | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 66.0% | +2.2% |
| 2009 | 64.0% | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 62.3% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 62.7% | +0.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 62.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 63.5%, 99% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 62.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 77.5%, 81% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 52.2% | 43.7% | 59.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 63.4% | 60.4% | 66.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 62.5% | 62.3% | 62.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 32 Liberia 72.1% compare
- 33 Chad 69.7% compare
- 34 Cape Verde 64.4% compare
- 36 Sao Tome and Principe 59.9% compare
- 37 Côte d'Ivoire 59.4% compare
- 38 Mauritius 58.5% 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 labor participation rate, female in South Africa?
- Labor participation rate, female in South Africa was 62.7% in 2011, according to International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database.
- What is the highest labor participation rate, female recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 66.0% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor participation rate, female recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.7% in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for labor participation rate, female?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 52 countries with data for 2011.
- Is labor participation rate, female rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database, published as part of Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 25-54). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 25-54 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. The participation rates are harmonized to account for differences in national data collection and tabulation methodologies as well as for other country-specific factors such as military service requirements. The series includes both nationally reported and imputed data and only estimates that are national, meaning there are no geographic limitations in coverage.