Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force in South Africa

South Africa: Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force was 20.22 million Persons in 2014. β–² Rising

Latest (2014)
20.22 million Persons
Change on year
up 2.4%
World rank
14th
of 46 countries
All-time high
20.22 million Persons
in 2014
All-time low
18.35 million Persons
in 2010
Years of data
7
2008–2014

Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force in South Africa, 2008–2014

05.0M10.0M15.0M20.0M2008201120142008: 18.8M Persons2009: 18.6M Persons2010: 18.4M Persons2011: 18.7M Persons2012: 19.2M Persons2013: 19.8M Persons2014: 20.2M Persons

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.

Analysis

The most recent figure for labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force in South Africa is 20.22 million Persons, measured in 2014. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.

That represents a change of up 2.4% on the previous year and up 7.4% over ten years.

South Africa ranks 14th of 46 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 18.71 million Persons 18.60 million Persons 18.83 million Persons 2
2010s 19.25 million Persons 18.35 million Persons 20.22 million Persons 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 11 Spain 24.83 million Persons compare
  2. 12 Colombia 23.45 million Persons compare
  3. 13 Canada 21.33 million Persons compare
  4. 15 Peru 18.16 million Persons compare
  5. 16 Poland 17.80 million Persons compare
  6. 17 Australia 15.20 million Persons compare

See the full ranking of 54 places β†’

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force in South Africa?
Labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force in South Africa was 20.22 million Persons in 2014, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 20.22 million Persons in 2014.
What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 18.35 million Persons in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force?
South Africa ranks 14th out of 46 countries with data for 2014.
Is labour indicators levels - regions β€” labour force rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 7.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 17 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labour-indicators-levels-regions-labour-force/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Labour force
Unit
Persons
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
54 places, 1,323 data points, 1995–2025
Last refreshed

<p>This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3).</p> <p><strong>Data definition and source</strong></p> <p>The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites.</p> <p><strong>Definition of regions</strong></p> <p>Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid <a href="https://webfs-cfe.oecd.org/files/.Stat/region/OECD_territorial-grid_TL2024.pdf">(pdf)</a> and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table <a href="https://webfs-cfe.oecd.org/files/.Stat/region/OECD%20Territorial%20correspondence%20-%20TL2024c.xlsx">(xlsx)</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cite this dataset</strong></p> <p>OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database&nbsp;<a href="http://oe.cd/geostats">http://oe.cd/geostats</a>.</p> <p><strong>Further information</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://regions-cities-atlas.oecd.org/">OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas</a>&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-regions-and-cities-at-a-glance-2024_f42db3bf-en.html">OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance</a></li> </ul> <p>For questions and/or comments, please email <a href="mailto:RegionStat@oecd.org">RegionStat@oecd.org</a>.</p>