Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa
South Africa: Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational was 73.55 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa, 2010–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of population in the same subgroup.
Analysis
In 2025, labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa stood at 73.55 Percentage of population in the same subgroup.
That represents a change of up 5.5% on the previous year and down 4.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa peaked at 76.62 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2015 and was at its lowest, 67.41 Percentage of population in the same subgroup, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 36th of 37 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Percentage of population in the same subgroup | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 72.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | — |
| 2011 | 72.35 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 72.9 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 72.79 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 72.92 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 76.62 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +5.1% |
| 2016 | 74.42 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -2.9% |
| 2017 | 74.53 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 74.12 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 74.07 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 67.41 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -9.0% |
| 2022 | 73.34 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +8.8% |
| 2024 | 69.73 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | -4.9% |
| 2025 | 73.55 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | +5.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 73.7 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 72.28 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 76.62 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 10 |
| 2020s | 71.01 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 67.41 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 73.55 Percentage of population in the same subgroup | 4 |
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 rates of adults, by educational in South Africa?
- Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational in South Africa was 73.55 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest labour force participation rates of adults, by educational recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 76.62 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2015.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rates of adults, by educational recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 67.41 Percentage of population in the same subgroup in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for labour force participation rates of adults, by educational?
- South Africa ranks 36th out of 37 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force participation rates of adults, by educational rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour force participation rates of adults, by educational attainment, age group and gender. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This dataset contains data on labour force participation rates by educational attainment level, age group and gender. The default table displays 2025 data (or the latest available year) on the labour force participation rates of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary, upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary, or tertiary attainment. The selection can be changed to display data by more detailed educational attainment level, by programme orientation, by gender and by age group. Filter the time period to display historical data. Data for the latest available year are preliminary. Final data will be released on September 29, 2026. For more information, please consult the Education at a Glance web page and the OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics: Concepts, Standards, Definitions and Classifications.