Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa
South Africa: Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 55.59 in 2027. ▼ Falling
Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, 1990–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa is 55.59, measured in 2027.
That represents a change of up 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa peaked at 58.09 in 1990 and was at its lowest, 50.55, in 2020.
That places South Africa 137th out of 188 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 38 years of available data.
Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 58.09 | — |
| 1991 | 58.03 | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 58.05 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 57.95 | -0.2% |
| 1994 | 57.94 | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 58.02 | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 58.04 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 57.95 | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 57.74 | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 57.51 | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 57.26 | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 57.01 | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 56.75 | -0.5% |
| 2003 | 56.5 | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 56.3 | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 56.13 | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 55.99 | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 55.88 | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 55.79 | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 53.96 | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 52.27 | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 52.17 | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 52.51 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 53.08 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 53.31 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 54.59 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 54.71 | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 55.36 | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 55.16 | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 55.27 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 50.55 | -8.5% |
| 2021 | 52.02 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 53.5 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 55.02 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 55.57 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | 55.58 | +0.0% |
| 2026 | 55.59 | +0.0% |
| 2027 | 55.59 | -0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 55.59 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 59.75, 93% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 55.59 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 64.13, 87% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57.93 | 57.51 | 58.09 | 10 |
| 2000s | 56.16 | 53.96 | 57.26 | 10 |
| 2010s | 53.84 | 52.17 | 55.36 | 10 |
| 2020s | 54.18 | 50.55 | 55.59 | 8 |
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 labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa?
- Labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa was 55.59 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 58.09 in 1990.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.55 in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- South Africa ranks 137th out of 188 countries with data for 2027.
- Is labour force participation rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 38 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. The labour force participation rate is the labour force as a percent of the working-age population. The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.