South Africa: Female labor force participation
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
South Africa |
Female labor force participation rate |
---|---|
Latest value | 52.38 |
Year | 2023 |
Measure | percent |
Data availability | 1991 - 2023 |
Average | 51.11 |
Min - Max | 47.03 - 52.61 |
Source | The World Bank |
The latest value from 2023 is 52.38 percent, an increase from 50.89 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 51.07 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2023 is 51.11 percent. The minimum value, 47.03 percent, was reached in 2010 while the maximum of 52.61 percent was recorded in 2008.
See the global rankings for that indicator or
use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
Recent data
Historical series
The female labor force participation rate is the percent of the female population ages 15 and older who are economically active. That includes the employed people as well as the unemployed people.
Definition: Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.
Selected articles from our guide:
What factors determine the exchange rates
International lending and sovereign debt
All articles
Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
---|---|---|---|
Labor force | 25.16 | 2023 | million people |
Unemployment rate | 27.99 | 2023 | percent |
Female unemployment | 29.87 | 2023 | percent |
Male unemployment | 26.32 | 2023 | percent |
Youth unemployment | 49.14 | 2023 | percent |
Labor force participation | 58.08 | 2023 | percent |
Labor force: percent female | 46.98 | 2023 | percent |
Female labor force participation | 52.38 | 2023 | percent |
Male labor force participation | 64.27 | 2023 | percent |
Self-employment | 28.99 | 2022 | percent |
Informal employment | 31.50 | 2020 | percent |
Employment | 16.95 | Q3/2024 | million employed people |
Unemployment rate | 32.10 | Q3/2024 | percent |
Labor cost | 149.00 | Q1/2024 | index points |