Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa
South Africa: Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture was 6.7% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa is 6.7%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa peaked at 11.3% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 5.4%, in 2011.
South Africa ranks 129th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 10.7% | — |
| 1992 | 10.7% | +0.6% |
| 1993 | 10.7% | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 10.7% | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 10.6% | -0.9% |
| 1996 | 10.5% | -1.1% |
| 1997 | 10.3% | -1.2% |
| 1998 | 10.2% | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 10.0% | -2.0% |
| 2000 | 9.7% | -2.9% |
| 2001 | 10.2% | +5.2% |
| 2002 | 11.3% | +10.3% |
| 2003 | 10.5% | -7.0% |
| 2004 | 9.2% | -11.8% |
| 2005 | 7.2% | -22.1% |
| 2006 | 6.8% | -5.9% |
| 2007 | 6.8% | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 6.6% | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 6.1% | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 5.7% | -6.2% |
| 2011 | 5.4% | -5.8% |
| 2012 | 5.7% | +5.7% |
| 2013 | 6.1% | +7.2% |
| 2014 | 5.7% | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 6.6% | +16.6% |
| 2016 | 6.8% | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 6.4% | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 6.1% | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 6.4% | +4.8% |
| 2020 | 6.7% | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 7.2% | +8.5% |
| 2022 | 6.8% | -6.1% |
| 2023 | 6.7% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 6.8% | +0.6% |
| 2025 | 6.7% | -0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10.5% | 10.0% | 10.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 8.4% | 6.1% | 11.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.1% | 5.4% | 6.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.8% | 6.7% | 7.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 126 Poland 7.4% compare
- 127 New Zealand 6.9% compare
- 128 Russian Federation 6.9% compare
- 130 Oman 6.6% compare
- 131 Bulgaria 6.5% compare
- 132 Trinidad and Tobago 6.4% compare
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 share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa?
- Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture in South Africa was 6.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of male vs. female employment in agriculture recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.3% in 2002.
- What is the lowest share of male vs. female employment in agriculture recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.4% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for share of male vs. female employment in agriculture?
- South Africa ranks 129th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of male vs. female employment in agriculture rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of male vs. female employment in agriculture. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total employment working in the agriculture sector.