Labor share of gdp in South Africa

South Africa: Labor share of gdp was 60.7 in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
60.7
Change on year
up 1.8%
World rank
18th
of 186 countries
All-time high
60.7
in 2020
All-time low
52.6
in 2007
Years of data
17
2004–2020

Labor share of gdp in South Africa, 2004–2020

02040602004201220202004: 53.92005: 53.62006: 54.12007: 52.62008: 53.72009: 54.42010: 56.12011: 56.92012: 57.22013: 57.62014: 57.72015: 58.62016: 59.22017: 59.42018: 592019: 59.62020: 60.7

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for labor share of gdp in South Africa is 60.7, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 17 years on record.

The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 8.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor share of gdp in South Africa peaked at 60.7 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 52.6, in 2007.

South Africa ranks 18th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 17 years of available data.

Labor share of gdp in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Labor share of gdp in South Africa, 2004 to 2020.
Year Value Change
2004 53.9
2005 53.6 -0.6%
2006 54.1 +0.9%
2007 52.6 -2.8%
2008 53.7 +2.1%
2009 54.4 +1.3%
2010 56.1 +3.1%
2011 56.9 +1.4%
2012 57.2 +0.5%
2013 57.6 +0.7%
2014 57.7 +0.2%
2015 58.6 +1.6%
2016 59.2 +1.0%
2017 59.4 +0.3%
2018 59 -0.7%
2019 59.6 +1.0%
2020 60.7 +1.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 53.72 52.6 54.4 6
2010s 58.13 56.1 59.6 10
2020s 60.7 60.7 60.7 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Slovenia 61 compare
  2. 16 Latvia 60.9 compare
  3. 16 Spain 60.9 compare
  4. 19 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 60.4 compare
  5. 19 United States of America 60.4 compare
  6. 21 Honduras 60.1 compare

See the full ranking of 186 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor share of gdp in South Africa?
Labor share of gdp in South Africa was 60.7 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest labor share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 60.7 in 2020.
What is the lowest labor share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 52.6 in 2007.
How does South Africa rank for labor share of gdp?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 186 countries with data for 2020.
Is labor share of gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 8.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Labor share of gdp. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor share of gdp in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-share-of-gdp/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor share of gdp
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
186 places, 3,162 data points, 2004–2020
Last refreshed