Number of labour inspectors in South Africa
South Africa: Number of labour inspectors was 1,854 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Number of labour inspectors in South Africa, 2009–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of labour inspectors in South Africa is 1,854, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 48.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of labour inspectors in South Africa peaked at 1,931 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 755, in 2009.
South Africa ranks 6th of 71 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Number of labour inspectors in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 755 | — |
| 2010 | 1,319 | +74.7% |
| 2013 | 1,252 | -5.1% |
| 2014 | 1,250 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 882 | -29.4% |
| 2016 | 1,310 | +48.5% |
| 2017 | 1,294 | -1.2% |
| 2018 | 1,280 | -1.1% |
| 2022 | 1,931 | +50.9% |
| 2023 | 1,833 | -5.1% |
| 2024 | 1,854 | +1.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1,854 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 276, 6.7× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1,854 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 123, 15.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 755 | 755 | 755 | 1 |
| 2010s | 1,227 | 882 | 1,319 | 7 |
| 2020s | 1,873 | 1,833 | 1,931 | 3 |
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 number of labour inspectors in South Africa?
- Number of labour inspectors in South Africa was 1,854 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest number of labour inspectors recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,931 in 2022.
- What is the lowest number of labour inspectors recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 755 in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for number of labour inspectors?
- South Africa ranks 6th out of 71 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of labour inspectors rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 48.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Number of labour inspectors. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Labour inspectors are public officials or other authorities who are responsible for three key labour inspection activities: a) securing the enforcement of the legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers while engaged in their work, such as provisions relating to hours, wages, safety, health and welfare, the employment of children and young persons, and other connected matters, in so far as such provisions are enforceable by labour inspectors; b) supplying technical information and advice to employers and workers concerning the most effective means of complying with the legal provisions; c) bringing to the notice of the competent authority defects or abuses not specifically covered by existing legal provisions. Labour inspectors have the authority to initiate processes that may lead to legal action. For more information, refer to the Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSH) database description.