South Africa Total Labor Force (2025)
South Africa's Total Labor Force: 26,731,522 persons in 2025, +369,269 YoY. World Bank (SL.TLF.TOTL.IN), 1990–2025.
South Africa (2025)
26,731,522
persons
+369,269 YoY
YoY Change
+369,269
persons
Trend
up
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | persons | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26,731,522 | +369,269 |
| 2024 | 26,362,253 | +654,984 |
| 2023 | 25,707,269 | +1,119,302 |
| 2022 | 24,587,967 | +1,107,155 |
| 2021 | 23,480,812 | +1,133,009 |
| 2020 | 22,347,803 | -1,551,261 |
| 2019 | 23,899,064 | +573,959 |
| 2018 | 23,325,105 | +436,704 |
| 2017 | 22,888,401 | +434,019 |
| 2016 | 22,454,382 | +254,434 |
| 2015 | 22,199,948 | +1,008,829 |
| 2014 | 21,191,119 | +494,699 |
| 2013 | 20,696,420 | +618,631 |
| 2012 | 20,077,789 | +482,147 |
| 2011 | 19,595,642 | +282,038 |
| 2010 | 19,313,604 | -314,337 |
| 2009 | 19,627,941 | -357,212 |
| 2008 | 19,985,153 | +283,370 |
| 2007 | 19,701,783 | +276,168 |
| 2006 | 19,425,615 | n/a |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 26731522.0 persons in 2025. The most recent year-on-year change was +369269.0. The historical series (1990–2025) shows a peak of 26731522.0 in 2025 and a trough of 15115009.0 in 1991.
Data sourced from World Bank Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology ensuring cross-country comparability.
The chart above shows the full historical trend; the table below lists annual values with year-on-year changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
This indicator tracks south africa total labor force in South Africa, published by World Bank. Data covers 1990–2025 at annual frequency using harmonised methodology.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. Data is updated annual.
The series peaked at 26731522.0 persons in 2025 and reached its lowest recorded value of 15115009.0 in 1991. The latest reading of 26731522.0 in 2025 represents a year-on-year change of +369269.0.