Share of workers in informal employment vs. GDP per capita in South Africa
South Africa: Share of workers in informal employment vs. GDP per capita was 34.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of workers in informal employment vs. GDP per capita in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita in South Africa is 34.8%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 2.4% on the previous year and up 8.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita in South Africa peaked at 54.1% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 31.4%, in 2020.
That places South Africa 42nd out of 82 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Share of workers in informal employment vs. GDP per capita in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 54.1% | — |
| 2001 | 52.1% | -3.6% |
| 2002 | 47.3% | -9.4% |
| 2003 | 46.6% | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 46.2% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 48.2% | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 49.1% | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 48.9% | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 35.4% | -27.6% |
| 2009 | 33.7% | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 34.0% | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 32.7% | -4.0% |
| 2012 | 31.8% | -2.8% |
| 2013 | 32.2% | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 32.1% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 34.3% | +6.8% |
| 2016 | 33.9% | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 34.2% | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 34.8% | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 34.6% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 31.4% | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 32.4% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 34.5% | +6.5% |
| 2023 | 34.0% | -1.4% |
| 2024 | 34.8% | +2.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 46.2% | 33.7% | 54.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.5% | 31.8% | 34.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.4% | 31.4% | 34.8% | 5 |
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 share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita in South Africa?
- Share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita in South Africa was 34.8% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 54.1% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.4% in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 82 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of workers in informal employment vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in informal employment vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed people working in jobs that lack basic social or legal protection and employment benefits. Does not include illegal and illicit activities. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.