South Africa: Male labor force participation

The latest value from 2025 is 61.74 percent, a decline from 61.79 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 70.05 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1990 to 2025 is 65.37 percent. The minimum value, 57.53 percent, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 72.23 percent was recorded in 1997. See the global rankings or world map for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The male labor force participation rate is the percent of the male 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.