Economy
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · updated 2025-12-31
South Africa's labour force participation stands at 55.58% as of 2025-12-31, up from 55.57% in 2024. Historical data runs from 1990 to 2025 (36 observations).
In 2025, South Africa's labour force participation was 55.58%, up from 55.57% in 2024.
In 2024, South Africa's labour force participation was 55.57%, up from 55.02% in 2023.
In 2023, South Africa's labour force participation was 55.02%, up from 53.5% in 2022.
In 2022, South Africa's labour force participation was 53.5%, up from 52.02% in 2021.
In 2021, South Africa's labour force participation was 52.02%, up from 50.55% in 2020.
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 55.58% | +0.014% |
| 2024 | 55.57% | +0.55% |
| 2023 | 55.02% | +1.52% |
| 2022 | 53.5% | +1.48% |
| 2021 | 52.02% | +1.48% |
| 2020 | 50.55% | -4.72% |
| 2019 | 55.27% | +0.106% |
| 2018 | 55.16% | -0.198% |
| 2017 | 55.36% | +0.645% |
| 2016 | 54.71% | +0.123% |
| 2015 | 54.59% | +1.28% |
| 2014 | 53.31% | +0.236% |
| 2013 | 53.08% | +0.571% |
| 2012 | 52.51% | +0.336% |
| 2011 | 52.17% | -0.094% |
| 2010 | 52.27% | -1.69% |
| 2009 | 53.96% | -1.83% |
| 2008 | 55.79% | -0.091% |
| 2007 | 55.88% | -0.117% |
| 2006 | 55.99% | -0.135% |
| 2005 | 56.13% | -0.166% |
| 2004 | 56.3% | -0.209% |
| 2003 | 56.5% | -0.244% |
| 2002 | 56.75% | -0.259% |
| 2001 | 57.01% | -0.256% |
| 2000 | 57.26% | -0.246% |
| 1999 | 57.51% | -0.233% |
| 1998 | 57.74% | -0.211% |
| 1997 | 57.95% | -0.084% |
| 1996 | 58.04% | +0.013% |
| 1995 | 58.02% | +0.088% |
| 1994 | 57.94% | -0.019% |
| 1993 | 57.96% | -0.092% |
| 1992 | 58.05% | +0.014% |
| 1991 | 58.03% | -0.062% |
| 1990 | 58.1% | — |
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · Download this series as CSV — free, attribution required (CC BY 4.0).
South Africa's labour force participation is 55.58% as of 2025-12-31, compared with 55.57% in 2024. The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)
The highest recorded value is 58.1% (1990); the lowest is 50.55% (2020), across data from 1990 to 2025.
The World Bank — World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0) Figures are republished with attribution and updated as the source releases new observations.