Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa

South Africa: Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) was 895.49 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
895.49
Change on year
up 1.7%
World rank
40th
of 188 countries
All-time high
1,127
in 2020
All-time low
654.3
in 2011
Years of data
23
2005–2027

Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, 2005–2027

02505007501.0k1.2k2005201620272005: 808.12006: 810.22007: 818.52008: 837.42009: 852.42010: 714.42011: 654.32012: 7232013: 763.72014: 738.32015: 853.12016: 857.12017: 860.82018: 872.42019: 8892020: 1.1k2021: 1.0k2022: 847.52023: 8452024: 848.92025: 865.22026: 880.42027: 895.5

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2027, time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa stood at 895.49.

The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 4.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa peaked at 1,127 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 654.3, in 2011.

South Africa ranks 40th of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) in South Africa, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 808.14
2006 810.21 +0.3%
2007 818.52 +1.0%
2008 837.38 +2.3%
2009 852.44 +1.8%
2010 714.41 -16.2%
2011 654.3 -8.4%
2012 723 +10.5%
2013 763.7 +5.6%
2014 738.29 -3.3%
2015 853.15 +15.6%
2016 857.09 +0.5%
2017 860.84 +0.4%
2018 872.36 +1.3%
2019 889.04 +1.9%
2020 1,127 +26.7%
2021 1,018 -9.7%
2022 847.54 -16.7%
2023 844.99 -0.3%
2024 848.86 +0.5%
2025 865.25 +1.9%
2026 880.39 +1.8%
2027 895.49 +1.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 825.34 808.14 852.44 5
2010s 792.62 654.3 889.04 10
2020s 915.9 844.99 1,127 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 37 Ghana 961.45 compare
  2. 38 Azerbaijan 935.18 compare
  3. 39 Iraq 928.99 compare
  4. 41 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 822.57 compare
  5. 42 Republic of Korea 758.88 compare
  6. 43 Nicaragua 748.85 compare

See the full ranking of 276 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa?
Time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa was 895.49 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 1,127 in 2020.
What is the lowest time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 654.3 in 2011.
How does South Africa rank for time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates)?
South Africa ranks 40th out of 188 countries with data for 2027.
Is time-related underemployment (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/time-related-underemployment-ilo-modelled-estimates-15/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Time-related underemployment (ILO modelled estimates) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
276 places, 6,324 data points, 2005–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. Persons in time-related underemployment comprise all persons in employment, who satisfy the following three criteria during the reference period: a) are willing to work additional hours; b) are available to work additional hours i.e., are ready, within a specified subsequent period, to work additional hours, given opportunities for additional work; and c) worked less than a threshold relating to working time i.e., persons whose hours actually worked in all jobs during the reference period were below a threshold, to be chosen according to national circumstances. For details, refer to the Resolution concerning the measurement of underemployment and inadequate employment situations. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.