South Africa Female Labour Force Participation Rate (2025)
South Africa's Female Labour Force Participation Rate: 49.9 % of female population ages 15+ in 2025, +0.1pp YoY. World Bank (SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS), 1990–2025.
South Africa (2025)
49.9
% of female population ages 15+
+0.1pp YoY
YoY Change
+0.1pp
percentage points
Trend
up
Series length
36
years of data
Data
| Year | % of female population ages 15+ | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.9 | +0.1pp |
| 2024 | 49.8 | +0.7pp |
| 2023 | 49.1 | +2pp |
| 2022 | 47.1 | +1.7pp |
| 2021 | 45.4 | +1.3pp |
| 2020 | 44.1 | -4.5pp |
| 2019 | 48.6 | +0.1pp |
| 2018 | 48.5 | -0.1pp |
| 2017 | 48.6 | +0.9pp |
| 2016 | 47.7 | unchanged |
| 2015 | 47.7 | +1.2pp |
| 2014 | 46.5 | +0.2pp |
| 2013 | 46.3 | +1pp |
| 2012 | 45.3 | +0.2pp |
| 2011 | 45.1 | +0.3pp |
| 2010 | 44.8 | -1.6pp |
| 2009 | 46.4 | -1.7pp |
| 2008 | 48.1 | +0.1pp |
| 2007 | 48 | +0.2pp |
| 2006 | 47.8 | +0.1pp |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 49.9 % of female population ages 15+ in 2025. The latest change was +0.1pp. Across 1990–2025 the series ranges from 44.1 in 2020 to 49.9 in 2025.
This page tracks the female labour force participation rate in South Africa from 1990 to present. Compare to male participation and regional averages.
Data sourced from World Bank via Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology intended for cross-country comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page tracks the female labour force participation rate in South Africa from 1990 to present. Compare to male participation and regional averages. It is published by World Bank and updated annually.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1990–2025 (36 observations).
The series peaked at 49.9 % of female population ages 15+ in 2025 and reached its lowest recorded value of 44.1 in 2020. The latest reading of 49.9 in 2025 represents a change of +0.1pp.