South Africa Labor Force Participation Rate (2025)
South Africa's Labor Force Participation Rate: 55.6 % of population ages 15+ in 2025, unchanged YoY. World Bank (SL.TLF.CACT.ZS), 1990–2025.
South Africa (2025)
55.6
% of population ages 15+
unchanged YoY
YoY Change
unchanged
percentage points
Trend
neutral
Series length
36
years of data
Data
| Year | % of population ages 15+ | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 55.6 | unchanged |
| 2024 | 55.6 | +0.6pp |
| 2023 | 55 | +1.5pp |
| 2022 | 53.5 | +1.5pp |
| 2021 | 52 | +1.5pp |
| 2020 | 50.5 | -4.8pp |
| 2019 | 55.3 | +0.1pp |
| 2018 | 55.2 | -0.2pp |
| 2017 | 55.4 | +0.7pp |
| 2016 | 54.7 | +0.1pp |
| 2015 | 54.6 | +1.3pp |
| 2014 | 53.3 | +0.2pp |
| 2013 | 53.1 | +0.6pp |
| 2012 | 52.5 | +0.3pp |
| 2011 | 52.2 | -0.1pp |
| 2010 | 52.3 | -1.7pp |
| 2009 | 54 | -1.8pp |
| 2008 | 55.8 | -0.1pp |
| 2007 | 55.9 | -0.1pp |
| 2006 | 56 | -0.1pp |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 55.6 % of population ages 15+ in 2025. That is unchanged on the previous period. Across 1990–2025 the series ranges from 50.5 in 2020 to 58.1 in 1990.
This page tracks the labour force participation rate (share of working-age population that is employed or actively seeking work) in South Africa from 1990 to present. Participation rates reveal slack in the labour market and the untapped workforce potential.
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 labour force participation rate (share of working-age population that is employed or actively seeking work) in South Africa from 1990 to present. Participation rates reveal slack in the labour market and the untapped workforce potential. 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 58.1 % of population ages 15+ in 1990 and reached its lowest recorded value of 50.5 in 2020. The latest reading of 55.6 in 2025 is unchanged on the previous period.