South Africa: Employment
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
The most recent value is 16.75 million employed people as of Q1 2026, a decline compared to the previous value of 17.1 million employed people. Historically, the average for South Africa from Q1 2008 to Q1 2026 is 15.41 million employed people. The minimum of 13.65 million employed people was recorded in Q3 2010, while the maximum of 17.1 million employed people was reached in Q4 2025.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
- Measure: million employed people
- Source: Statistics South Africa
| Recent values | South Africa: Employment, million people |
|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 | 16.75 |
| 2025 Q4 | 17.1 |
| 2025 Q3 | 17.06 |
| 2025 Q2 | 16.81 |
| 2025 Q1 | 16.79 |
| 2024 Q4 | 17.08 |
| 2024 Q3 | 16.95 |
| 2024 Q2 | 16.65 |
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Definition: The number of people, in millions, engaged in the economy as paid employees or as self-employed.
| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force | 26.73 | 2025 | million people |
| Unemployment rate | 32.39 | 2025 | percent |
| Female unemployment | 34.00 | 2025 | percent |
| Male unemployment | 30.99 | 2025 | percent |
| Youth unemployment | 59.93 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force participation | 55.58 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force: percent female | 46.57 | 2025 | percent |
| Female labor force participation | 49.88 | 2025 | percent |
| Male labor force participation | 61.74 | 2025 | percent |
| Self-employment | 17.27 | 2025 | percent |
| Informal employment | 31.50 | 2020 | percent |
| Employment | 16.75 | Q1/2026 | million employed people |
| Unemployment rate | 32.70 | Q1/2026 | percent |
| Labor cost | 163.50 | Q4/2025 | index points |