Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa
South Africa: Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an was 75.0% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
75.0%
Change on year
down 3.1%
World rank
44th
of 113 countries
All-time high
77.4%
in 2021
All-time low
35.3%
in 2011
Years of data
5
2011–2024
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa, 2011–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 75.0% for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.1% on the previous year and up 31.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa peaked at 77.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 35.3%, in 2011.
That places South Africa 44th out of 113 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 35.3% | — |
| 2014 | 56.9% | +61.1% |
| 2017 | 59.1% | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 77.4% | +30.8% |
| 2024 | 75.0% | -3.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 75.0% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 56.5%, 1.3× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 75.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 39.5%, 1.9× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 50.5% | 35.3% | 59.1% | 3 |
| 2020s | 76.2% | 75.0% | 77.4% | 2 |
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 proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa?
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Africa was 75.0% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 77.4% in 2021.
- What is the lowest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 35.3% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an?
- South Africa ranks 44th out of 113 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an account at a financial institution or mobile-money-service provider (% of adults aged 15 years and older). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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