Labor force participation rate in South Sudan
South Sudan: Labor force participation rate was 73.4% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Latest (2023)
73.4%
Change on year
down 0.2%
World rank
20th
of 186 countries
All-time high
74.5%
in 1997
All-time low
73.2%
in 2020
Years of data
34
1990–2023
Labor force participation rate in South Sudan, 1990–2023
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Sudan recorded 73.4% for labor force participation rate in 2023.
That represents a change of down 0.2% on the previous year and down 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in South Sudan peaked at 74.5% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 73.2%, in 2020.
South Sudan ranks 20th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Labor force participation rate in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 74.4% | — |
| 1991 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 74.5% | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 74.5% | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 74.4% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 74.4% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 74.4% | -0.0% |
| 2001 | 74.4% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 74.4% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 74.5% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 74.4% | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 74.3% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 74.2% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 74.1% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 74.0% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 73.9% | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 73.8% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 73.6% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 73.6% | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 73.6% | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 73.7% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 73.8% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 74.0% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 74.3% | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 74.2% | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 73.9% | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 73.2% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | 73.5% | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 73.5% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 73.4% | -0.2% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 73.4% is above the median for low income countries, which is 67.0%, 1.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 73.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 64.3%, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 74.4% | 74.4% | 74.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 74.3% | 73.9% | 74.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 73.8% | 73.6% | 74.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 73.4% | 73.2% | 73.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More work & labour data for South Sudan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0087 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0382 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.6635 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 9,132 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16,235 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 12,299 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 11,542 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 23,841 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in South Sudan?
- Labor force participation rate in South Sudan was 73.4% in 2023, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 74.5% in 1997.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 73.2% in 2020.
- How does South Sudan rank for labor force participation rate?
- South Sudan ranks 20th out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).