South Africa: Labor force

The latest value from 2025 is 26.73 million people, an increase from 26.36 million people in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 21.11 million people, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1990 to 2025 is 19.84 million people. The minimum value, 14.74 million people, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 26.73 million people was recorded in 2025. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

Definition: Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.