Labor participation rate, total in Africa
Africa: Labor participation rate, total was 42.5% in 2011. ▬ Flat
Labor participation rate, total in Africa, 1990–2011
Source: International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database. Measured in % of total population ages 65+.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor participation rate, total in Africa is 42.5%, measured in 2011. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and down 0.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor participation rate, total in Africa peaked at 43.3% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 42.5%, in 2011.
Labor participation rate, total in Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total population ages 65+ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43.3% | — |
| 1991 | 43.3% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 43.0% | -0.6% |
| 1993 | 42.7% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 42.9% | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 43.0% | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 42.9% | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 42.9% | +0.1% |
| 1998 | 42.9% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 43.0% | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 43.0% | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 42.9% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 42.8% | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 43.2% | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 43.0% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 42.8% | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 42.7% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 42.7% | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 42.7% | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 42.7% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 42.7% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 42.5% | -0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 43.0% | 42.7% | 43.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 42.8% | 42.7% | 43.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 42.6% | 42.5% | 42.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 2 Mozambique 81.6% compare
- 3 Gambia 73.7% compare
- 4 Zambia 73.5% compare
- 5 Central African Republic 72.5% compare
- 6 Zimbabwe 70.3% compare
- 7 Tanzania, United Republic of 67.0% compare
- 8 Uganda 65.7% compare
More work & labour data for Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3.81 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.3661 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.3537 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.3781 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.4458 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.68 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1.04 million 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1.89 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1.93 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1.49 million 1000 No (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor participation rate, total in Africa?
- Labor participation rate, total in Africa was 42.5% in 2011, according to International Labour Organization, Key Indicators of the Labour Market database.
- What is the highest labor participation rate, total recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 43.3% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor participation rate, total recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.5% in 2011.
- How does Africa rank for labor participation rate, total?
- Africa ranks 5th out of 6 groups with data for 2011.
- Is labor participation rate, total rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this 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 65+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 22 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 65 and older 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.