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

South Africa: Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Population was 39.18 million Persons in 2023. β–² Rising

Latest (2023)
39.18 million Persons
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
12th
of 49 countries
All-time high
41.88 million Persons
in 2019
All-time low
31.36 million Persons
in 2002
Years of data
20
2002–2023

Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Population in South Africa, 2002–2023

010.0M20.0M30.0M40.0M2002201220232002: 31.4M Persons2003: 32.0M Persons2004: 32.6M Persons2005: 33.2M Persons2006: 33.8M Persons2007: 34.4M Persons2008: 35.0M Persons2009: 35.7M Persons2010: 36.3M Persons2011: 36.9M Persons2012: 37.6M Persons2013: 38.2M Persons2014: 38.8M Persons2015: 39.4M Persons2016: 40.0M Persons2017: 40.6M Persons2018: 41.2M Persons2019: 41.9M Persons2022: 39.8M Persons2023: 39.2M Persons

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for labour indicators levels - regions β€” population in South Africa is 39.18 million Persons, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of down 1.6% on the previous year and up 2.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions β€” population in South Africa peaked at 41.88 million Persons in 2019 and was at its lowest, 31.36 million Persons, in 2002.

South Africa ranks 12th of 49 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 20 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 33.50 million Persons 31.36 million Persons 35.66 million Persons 8
2010s 39.08 million Persons 36.30 million Persons 41.88 million Persons 10
2020s 39.51 million Persons 39.18 million Persons 39.84 million Persons 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 9 Italy 52.12 million Persons compare
  2. 10 Spain 43.76 million Persons compare
  3. 11 Colombia 40.95 million Persons compare
  4. 13 United Kingdom 39.16 million Persons compare
  5. 14 Canada 36.04 million Persons compare
  6. 15 Argentina 35.54 million Persons compare

See the full ranking of 56 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€” population in South Africa?
Labour indicators levels - regions β€” population in South Africa was 39.18 million Persons in 2023, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions β€” population recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 41.88 million Persons in 2019.
What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions β€” population recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 31.36 million Persons in 2002.
How does South Africa rank for labour indicators levels - regions β€” population?
South Africa ranks 12th out of 49 countries with data for 2023.
Is labour indicators levels - regions β€” population rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. 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€” Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Population 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-population/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Labour indicators levels - Regions β€” Population
Unit
Persons
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
56 places, 1,649 data points, 1995–2026
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>