{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"za-labor-force-total","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/za-labor-force-total","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/za-labor-force-total/","title":"South Africa Total Labor Force (2025)","description":"South Africa's Total Labor Force: 26,731,522 persons in 2025, +1.4% YoY. World Bank (SL.TLF.TOTL.IN), 1990–2025.","domain":"labor","category":"Labour & Employment","keywords":["Labour & Employment","World Bank","South Africa","2025"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"South Africa","temporal_coverage":"1990/2025","unit":"persons","last_updated":"2026-07-25","last_updated_text":"25 July 2026","data_as_of":"2025","variable_measured":"South Africa Total Labor Force","license":"https://apiardata.com/data-license","is_accessible_for_free":true,"sources":[{"name":"World Bank","url":"https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN?locations=ZA"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"1990–2025"},{"label":"Observations","value":"36"},{"label":"Geography","value":"South Africa"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"25 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"South Africa (2025)","value":"26,731,522","unit":"persons","trend":{"direction":"up","value":"+1.4% YoY"}},{"label":"YoY Change","value":"+1.4%","unit":"persons"},{"label":"Trend","value":"up","unit":""},{"label":"Series length","value":"36","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"South Africa Total Labor Force"}],"observation_count":36,"observations":[{"period":"1990","value":14739816},{"period":"1991","value":15115009},{"period":"1992","value":15381627},{"period":"1993","value":15744688},{"period":"1994","value":16012767},{"period":"1995","value":16155006},{"period":"1996","value":16358427},{"period":"1997","value":16607141},{"period":"1998","value":16939801},{"period":"1999","value":17269604},{"period":"2000","value":17579103},{"period":"2001","value":17886684},{"period":"2002","value":18213750},{"period":"2003","value":18543438},{"period":"2004","value":18856474},{"period":"2005","value":19148046},{"period":"2006","value":19425615},{"period":"2007","value":19701783},{"period":"2008","value":19985153},{"period":"2009","value":19627941},{"period":"2010","value":19313604},{"period":"2011","value":19595642},{"period":"2012","value":20077789},{"period":"2013","value":20696420},{"period":"2014","value":21191119},{"period":"2015","value":22199948},{"period":"2016","value":22454382},{"period":"2017","value":22888401},{"period":"2018","value":23325105},{"period":"2019","value":23899064},{"period":"2020","value":22347803},{"period":"2021","value":23480812},{"period":"2022","value":24587967},{"period":"2023","value":25707269},{"period":"2024","value":26362253},{"period":"2025","value":26731522}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"persons"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"YoY Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2025","value":"26731522.0","yoyChange":"+1.4%"},{"year":"2024","value":"26362253.0","yoyChange":"+2.5%"},{"year":"2023","value":"25707269.0","yoyChange":"+4.6%"},{"year":"2022","value":"24587967.0","yoyChange":"+4.7%"},{"year":"2021","value":"23480812.0","yoyChange":"+5.1%"},{"year":"2020","value":"22347803.0","yoyChange":"-6.5%"},{"year":"2019","value":"23899064.0","yoyChange":"+2.5%"},{"year":"2018","value":"23325105.0","yoyChange":"+1.9%"},{"year":"2017","value":"22888401.0","yoyChange":"+1.9%"},{"year":"2016","value":"22454382.0","yoyChange":"+1.1%"},{"year":"2015","value":"22199948.0","yoyChange":"+4.8%"},{"year":"2014","value":"21191119.0","yoyChange":"+2.4%"},{"year":"2013","value":"20696420.0","yoyChange":"+3.1%"},{"year":"2012","value":"20077789.0","yoyChange":"+2.5%"},{"year":"2011","value":"19595642.0","yoyChange":"+1.5%"},{"year":"2010","value":"19313604.0","yoyChange":"-1.6%"},{"year":"2009","value":"19627941.0","yoyChange":"-1.8%"},{"year":"2008","value":"19985153.0","yoyChange":"+1.4%"},{"year":"2007","value":"19701783.0","yoyChange":"+1.4%"},{"year":"2006","value":"19425615.0","yoyChange":"+1.4%"}]},"qa":[{"question":"What does this indicator measure?","answer":"This page tracks the total labour force (employed + unemployed, ages 15+) in South Africa from 1990 to present. Labour force size is the primary input to potential GDP estimation and workforce market sizing. It is published by World Bank and updated annually."},{"question":"How current is this data?","answer":"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)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 26,731,522 persons in 2025 and reached its lowest recorded value of 14,739,816 in 1990. The latest reading of 26,731,522 in 2025 represents a change of +369,269."}]}