Population by labor force status in South Africa
South Africa: Population by labor force status was 16.66 million people in 2025. ▬ Flat
Population by labor force status in South Africa, 1991–2025
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population by labor force status in South Africa is 16.66 million people, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population by labor force status in South Africa peaked at 17.01 million people in 1997 and was at its lowest, 15.27 million people, in 2007.
South Africa ranks 26th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16.48 million people | 15.64 million people | 17.01 million people | 9 |
| 2000s | 15.63 million people | 15.27 million people | 16.46 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.91 million people | 15.39 million people | 16.34 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.47 million people | 16.35 million people | 16.66 million people | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 61.7% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 80.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 49.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 60.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 65.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 55.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population by labor force status in South Africa?
- Population by labor force status in South Africa was 16.66 million people in 2025, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population by labor force status recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.01 million people in 1997.
- What is the lowest population by labor force status recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.27 million people in 2007.
- How does South Africa rank for population by labor force status?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population by labor force status rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population by labor force status. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population below working age (under 15 years old).