South Africa: Labor force participation

The latest value from 2023 is 58.08 percent, an increase from 56.94 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 60.88 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2023 is 59.33 percent. The minimum value, 54.17 percent, was reached in 2010 while the maximum of 63.34 percent was recorded in 1991. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The labor force participation rate is the percent of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active. That includes the employed and the unemployed individuals.

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.