Share of male vs. female employment in industry in South Africa
South Africa: Share of male vs. female employment in industry was 28.4% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of male vs. female employment in industry 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 industry in South Africa is 28.4%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and down 14.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of male vs. female employment in industry in South Africa peaked at 35.7% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 27.9%, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 66th 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 industry in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 31.7% | — |
| 1992 | 31.7% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 31.5% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 31.6% | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 32.0% | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 32.4% | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 32.8% | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 32.9% | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 33.1% | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 33.2% | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 33.9% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 34.1% | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 33.6% | -1.5% |
| 2004 | 35.3% | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 35.1% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 35.2% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 35.7% | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 35.6% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 34.9% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 33.9% | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 33.0% | -2.5% |
| 2012 | 32.3% | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 32.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 32.5% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 33.4% | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 32.3% | -3.1% |
| 2017 | 32.3% | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 32.4% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 30.6% | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 28.7% | -6.2% |
| 2021 | 27.9% | -2.9% |
| 2022 | 28.6% | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 28.4% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 28.4% | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 28.4% | +0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.2% | 31.5% | 33.1% | 9 |
| 2000s | 34.7% | 33.2% | 35.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 32.5% | 30.6% | 33.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.4% | 27.9% | 28.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 63 Pakistan 28.8% compare
- 64 El Salvador 28.6% compare
- 65 France 28.5% compare
- 67 Syrian Arab Republic 28.4% compare
- 68 Iraq 28.4% compare
- 69 Switzerland 28.3% 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 industry in South Africa?
- Share of male vs. female employment in industry in South Africa was 28.4% 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 industry recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 35.7% in 2007.
- What is the lowest share of male vs. female employment in industry recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.9% in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for share of male vs. female employment in industry?
- South Africa ranks 66th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of male vs. female employment in industry rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.9%. 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 industry. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total employment working in the industry sector.