South Africa: Labor freedom

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Africa

Labor freedom index (0-100)

 Latest value 72
 Year 2024
 Measure points
 Data availability 2005 - 2024
 Average 60
 Min - Max 54 - 72
 Source The Heritage Foundation
The latest value from 2024 is 72 points, unchanged from 72 points in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 56 points, based on data from 174 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 2005 to 2024 is 60 points. The minimum value, 54 points, was reached in 2014 while the maximum of 72 points was recorded in 2023. 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 - Labor freedom - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - Labor freedom - historical chart - 2005-2024




The Labor Freedom index for South Africa from the Heritage Foundation reflects the various aspects of the legal and regulatory framework of the labor market in South Africa, including the minimum wage; laws inhibiting layoffs; severance requirements; and the regulatory burdens on hiring.
Definition: The Labor freedom index is composed of six quantitative factors: ratio of minimum wage to the average value added per worker, hindrance to hiring additional workers, rigidity of hours, difficulty of firing redundant employees, legally mandated notice period, and mandatory severance pay. The index is based on data collected in connection with the World Bank’s Doing Business study.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Property rights 45 2024 points
 Freedom from corruption 48 2024 points
 Fiscal freedom 20 2024 points
 Business freedom 61 2024 points
 Labor freedom 72 2024 points
 Monetary freedom 74.50 2024 points
 Trade freedom 72 2024 points
 Investment freedom 40 2024 points
 Financial freedom 40 2024 points
 Economic freedom, overall index 55 2024 index points
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