Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa
South Africa: Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) was 21,899 in 2027. ▲ Rising
Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, 1990–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2027, persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa stood at 21,899. That is the highest value across all 38 years on record.
The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa peaked at 21,899 in 2027 and was at its lowest, 10,632, in 1990.
That places South Africa 23rd out of 188 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 38 years of available data.
Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 10,632 | — |
| 1991 | 10,930 | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 11,117 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 11,422 | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 11,626 | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 11,687 | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 11,828 | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 12,049 | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 12,397 | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 12,760 | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 13,120 | +2.8% |
| 2001 | 13,490 | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 13,882 | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 14,275 | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 14,640 | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 14,966 | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 15,267 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 15,558 | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 15,840 | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 16,750 | +5.7% |
| 2010 | 17,640 | +5.3% |
| 2011 | 17,965 | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 18,160 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 18,296 | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 18,557 | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 18,466 | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 18,585 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 18,457 | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 18,960 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 19,344 | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 21,863 | +13.0% |
| 2021 | 21,654 | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 21,372 | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 21,016 | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 21,078 | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 21,360 | +1.3% |
| 2026 | 21,632 | +1.3% |
| 2027 | 21,899 | +1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11,645 | 10,632 | 12,760 | 10 |
| 2000s | 14,779 | 13,120 | 16,750 | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,443 | 17,640 | 19,344 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,484 | 21,016 | 21,899 | 8 |
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 persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa?
- Persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa was 21,899 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 21,899 in 2027.
- What is the lowest persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 10,632 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates)?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 188 countries with data for 2027.
- Is persons outside the labour force (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.6%. 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 Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. Persons outside the labour force comprise all persons of working age who, during the specified reference period, were not in the labour force (that is, were not employed or unemployed). For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.