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.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Africa - Female labor force participation - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - Female labor force participation - historical chart - 1991-2023




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.

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 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
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