Labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa
Southern Africa: Labour dependency ratio was 2.53 in 2027. ▬ Flat
Labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa, 1991–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa is 2.53, measured in 2027.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and up 4.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa peaked at 2.9 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 2.29, in 2008.
That places Southern Africa 7th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the top 10%.
Labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2.56 | — |
| 1992 | 2.58 | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 2.57 | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 2.56 | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 2.56 | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 2.55 | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 2.54 | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 2.52 | -0.8% |
| 1999 | 2.5 | -1.1% |
| 2000 | 2.46 | -1.4% |
| 2001 | 2.43 | -1.2% |
| 2002 | 2.41 | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 2.39 | -0.7% |
| 2004 | 2.36 | -1.2% |
| 2005 | 2.33 | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 2.31 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 2.29 | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 2.29 | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 2.42 | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 2.55 | +5.7% |
| 2011 | 2.54 | -0.5% |
| 2012 | 2.51 | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 2.45 | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 2.45 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 2.39 | -2.5% |
| 2016 | 2.44 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 2.43 | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 2.42 | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 2.46 | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 2.78 | +12.9% |
| 2021 | 2.9 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 2.74 | -5.4% |
| 2023 | 2.57 | -6.1% |
| 2024 | 2.54 | -1.2% |
| 2025 | 2.54 | -0.2% |
| 2026 | 2.53 | -0.2% |
| 2027 | 2.53 | -0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.55 | 2.5 | 2.58 | 9 |
| 2000s | 2.37 | 2.29 | 2.46 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.46 | 2.39 | 2.55 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.64 | 2.53 | 2.9 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Southern Africa
- 4 Djibouti 4.94 compare
- 5 Afghanistan 4.31 compare
- 6 Sudan 3.88 compare
- 7 Palestine, State of 3.8 compare
- 8 Mauritania 3.72 compare
- 9 Iraq 3.38 compare
- 10 Syrian Arab Republic 3.36 compare
More work & labour data for Southern Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1951 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1816 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.9762 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9822 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1707 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 108,649 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 56,523 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 19,568 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 66,232 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 52,126 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa?
- Labour dependency ratio in Southern Africa was 2.53 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour dependency ratio recorded in Southern Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.9 in 2021.
- What is the lowest labour dependency ratio recorded in Southern Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.29 in 2008.
- How does Southern Africa rank for labour dependency ratio?
- Southern Africa ranks 7th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is labour dependency ratio rising or falling in Southern Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Southern Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour dependency ratio (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. This indicator provides the ratio of dependents (persons aged 0 to 14 + persons aged 15 and above that are either outside the labour force or unemployed) to total employment. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.