Number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa
South Africa: Number of strikes and lockouts was 114 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa, 1969–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa is 114, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 17.5% on the previous year and up 29.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa peaked at 1,324 in 1997 and was at its lowest, 47, in 2002.
South Africa ranks 17th of 99 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 78 | — |
| 1970 | 76 | -2.6% |
| 1971 | 69 | -9.2% |
| 1972 | 71 | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 370 | +421.1% |
| 1974 | 384 | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 276 | -28.1% |
| 1976 | 248 | -10.1% |
| 1977 | 90 | -63.7% |
| 1978 | 106 | +17.8% |
| 1979 | 101 | -4.7% |
| 1980 | 192 | +90.1% |
| 1981 | 292 | +52.1% |
| 1982 | 394 | +34.9% |
| 1983 | 354 | -10.2% |
| 1984 | 469 | +32.5% |
| 1989 | 855 | +82.3% |
| 1994 | 804 | -6.0% |
| 1995 | 315 | -60.8% |
| 1996 | 901 | +186.0% |
| 1997 | 1,324 | +46.9% |
| 1998 | 527 | -60.2% |
| 1999 | 107 | -79.7% |
| 2000 | 80 | -25.2% |
| 2001 | 83 | +3.8% |
| 2002 | 47 | -43.4% |
| 2003 | 62 | +31.9% |
| 2004 | 49 | -21.0% |
| 2005 | 102 | +108.2% |
| 2006 | 99 | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 75 | -24.2% |
| 2008 | 57 | -24.0% |
| 2009 | 51 | -10.5% |
| 2010 | 74 | +45.1% |
| 2011 | 67 | -9.5% |
| 2012 | 99 | +47.8% |
| 2013 | 114 | +15.2% |
| 2014 | 88 | -22.8% |
| 2015 | 110 | +25.0% |
| 2016 | 122 | +10.9% |
| 2017 | 132 | +8.2% |
| 2018 | 165 | +25.0% |
| 2020 | 117 | -29.1% |
| 2022 | 87 | -25.6% |
| 2023 | 97 | +11.5% |
| 2024 | 114 | +17.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 78 | 78 | 78 | 1 |
| 1970s | 179.1 | 69 | 384 | 10 |
| 1980s | 426 | 192 | 855 | 6 |
| 1990s | 663 | 107 | 1,324 | 6 |
| 2000s | 70.5 | 47 | 102 | 10 |
| 2010s | 107.89 | 67 | 165 | 9 |
| 2020s | 103.75 | 87 | 117 | 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 number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa?
- Number of strikes and lockouts in South Africa was 114 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest number of strikes and lockouts recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,324 in 1997.
- What is the lowest number of strikes and lockouts recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 47 in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for number of strikes and lockouts?
- South Africa ranks 17th out of 99 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of strikes and lockouts rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Number of strikes and lockouts. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 46 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
A strike is a temporary work stoppage carried out by one or more groups of workers with a view to enforcing or resisting demands or expressing grievances, or supporting other workers in their demands or grievances. A lockout is a total or partial temporary closure of one or more places of employment, or the hindering of the normal work activities of employees, by one or more employers with a view to enforcing or resisting demands or expressing grievances, or supporting other employers in their demands or grievances. Data disaggregated by economic activity are provided according to the latest version of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) available for that year. Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISIC. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.