Labor participation rate, female in South Africa
South Africa: Labor participation rate, female was 31.4% 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 55-64.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 31.4% for labor participation rate, female in 2011.
That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and up 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor participation rate, female in South Africa peaked at 33.0% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 21.1%, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 41st of 52 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
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 55-64 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 21.1% | — |
| 1991 | 21.9% | +3.8% |
| 1992 | 22.9% | +4.6% |
| 1993 | 23.7% | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 24.2% | +2.1% |
| 1995 | 24.8% | +2.5% |
| 1996 | 25.2% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 25.7% | +2.0% |
| 1998 | 26.4% | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 26.9% | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 27.3% | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 27.7% | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 27.9% | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 28.1% | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 28.4% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 28.6% | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 29.0% | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 29.4% | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 33.0% | +12.4% |
| 2009 | 31.4% | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 31.3% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 31.4% | +0.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 31.4% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.0%, 95% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 31.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 67.6%, 46% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 24.3% | 21.1% | 26.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 29.1% | 27.3% | 33.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 31.3% | 31.3% | 31.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 31.4% 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 33.0% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor participation rate, female recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.1% in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for labor participation rate, female?
- South Africa ranks 41st 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 13.4%. 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 55-64). 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 55-64 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.