Labor participation rate, male in South Africa
South Africa: Labor participation rate, male was 52.2% in 2011. ▼ Falling
Labor participation rate, male in South Africa, 1990–2011
Source: International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database. Measured in % of male population ages 55-64.
Analysis
In 2011, labor participation rate, male in South Africa stood at 52.2%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor participation rate, male in South Africa peaked at 60.8% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 51.9%, in 2010.
That places South Africa 52nd out of 52 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Labor participation rate, male in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of male population ages 55-64 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 60.8% | — |
| 1991 | 59.9% | -1.5% |
| 1992 | 58.7% | -2.0% |
| 1993 | 57.9% | -1.4% |
| 1994 | 57.4% | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 56.9% | -0.9% |
| 1996 | 56.6% | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 56.1% | -0.9% |
| 1998 | 55.5% | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 55.0% | -0.9% |
| 2000 | 54.7% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 54.3% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 54.1% | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 53.8% | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 55.3% | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 56.8% | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 58.3% | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 59.9% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 57.3% | -4.3% |
| 2009 | 55.3% | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 51.9% | -6.3% |
| 2011 | 52.2% | +0.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 52.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 68.3%, 76% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 52.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 86.5%, 60% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57.5% | 55.0% | 60.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 56.0% | 53.8% | 59.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.0% | 51.9% | 52.2% | 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, male in South Africa?
- Labor participation rate, male in South Africa was 52.2% in 2011, according to International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database.
- What is the highest labor participation rate, male recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 60.8% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor participation rate, male recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 51.9% in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for labor participation rate, male?
- South Africa ranks 52nd out of 52 countries with data for 2011.
- Is labor participation rate, male rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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, male (% of male 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.