Labor participation rate, total in South Africa
South Africa: Labor participation rate, total was 72.3% in 2011. ▲ Rising
Labor participation rate, total in South Africa, 1990–2011
Source: International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database. Measured in % of total population ages 25-54.
Analysis
In 2011, labor participation rate, total in South Africa stood at 72.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 1.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor participation rate, total in South Africa peaked at 75.7% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 64.9%, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 38th of 52 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Labor participation rate, total in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total population ages 25-54 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 64.9% | — |
| 1991 | 65.6% | +1.1% |
| 1992 | 66.4% | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 67.1% | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 67.8% | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 68.5% | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 69.0% | +0.7% |
| 1997 | 69.6% | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 70.2% | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 70.7% | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 70.9% | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 71.4% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 71.8% | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 72.2% | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 72.6% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 73.1% | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 73.5% | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 73.9% | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 75.7% | +2.4% |
| 2009 | 73.8% | -2.5% |
| 2010 | 72.0% | -2.5% |
| 2011 | 72.3% | +0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 68.0% | 64.9% | 70.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 72.9% | 70.9% | 75.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 72.1% | 72.0% | 72.3% | 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, total in South Africa?
- Labor participation rate, total in South Africa was 72.3% in 2011, according to International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database.
- What is the highest labor participation rate, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 75.7% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor participation rate, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 64.9% in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for labor participation rate, total?
- South Africa ranks 38th out of 52 countries with data for 2011.
- Is labor participation rate, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.4%. 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, total (% of total 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.