Number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa
South Africa: Number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts was 65.5 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa, 1969–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa is 65.5, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 57.3% on the previous year and down 68.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa peaked at 1,192 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 4.17, in 1970.
That places South Africa 23rd out of 92 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 4.43 | — |
| 1970 | 4.17 | -6.0% |
| 1971 | 4.45 | +6.8% |
| 1972 | 9.22 | +107.2% |
| 1973 | 98.38 | +966.5% |
| 1974 | 59.11 | -39.9% |
| 1975 | 23.49 | -60.3% |
| 1976 | 28.1 | +19.6% |
| 1977 | 15.34 | -45.4% |
| 1978 | 14.15 | -7.7% |
| 1979 | 23.06 | +63.0% |
| 1980 | 58.21 | +152.4% |
| 1981 | 83.89 | +44.1% |
| 1982 | 140.94 | +68.0% |
| 1983 | 64.47 | -54.3% |
| 1984 | 181.94 | +182.2% |
| 1989 | 177.71 | -2.3% |
| 1994 | 326.55 | +83.8% |
| 1995 | 152.96 | -53.2% |
| 1996 | 247.2 | +61.6% |
| 1997 | 212.09 | -14.2% |
| 1998 | 323.09 | +52.3% |
| 1999 | 555.43 | +71.9% |
| 2000 | 1,142 | +105.7% |
| 2001 | 90.39 | -92.1% |
| 2002 | 66.25 | -26.7% |
| 2003 | 83.53 | +26.1% |
| 2004 | 395.3 | +373.2% |
| 2005 | 399.29 | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 250.79 | -37.2% |
| 2007 | 608.92 | +142.8% |
| 2008 | 118.98 | -80.5% |
| 2009 | 172.73 | +45.2% |
| 2010 | 1,192 | +590.0% |
| 2011 | 203.14 | -83.0% |
| 2012 | 241.39 | +18.8% |
| 2013 | 297.19 | +23.1% |
| 2014 | 205.6 | -30.8% |
| 2015 | 91.07 | -55.7% |
| 2017 | 125.12 | +37.4% |
| 2018 | 137.71 | +10.1% |
| 2020 | 101.71 | -26.1% |
| 2022 | 153.53 | +50.9% |
| 2024 | 65.5 | -57.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4.43 | 4.43 | 4.43 | 1 |
| 1970s | 27.95 | 4.17 | 98.38 | 10 |
| 1980s | 117.86 | 58.21 | 181.94 | 6 |
| 1990s | 302.89 | 152.96 | 555.43 | 6 |
| 2000s | 332.86 | 66.25 | 1,142 | 10 |
| 2010s | 311.63 | 91.07 | 1,192 | 8 |
| 2020s | 106.91 | 65.5 | 153.53 | 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 workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa?
- Number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts in South Africa was 65.5 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,192 in 2010.
- What is the lowest number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.17 in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 92 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 68.1%. 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 workers involved in strikes and lockouts. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Workers involved in strikes and lockouts represents the number of workers implicated directly or indirectly at any time during a strike or lockout, whether the involvement was for the full duration of the strike or lockout or only part of it. Workers who are unable to work as a result of the secondary effects of strikes or lockouts should not be included. 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.