Labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa
Labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa was 55.6% in 2025, according to the World Bank. That is unchanged from 2024. That is the 135th highest of 181 countries in 2025.
Labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa, 1990 to 2025
All 36 values
| Period | % |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 55.6 |
| 2024 | 55.6 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2022 | 53.5 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2020 | 50.5 |
| 2019 | 55.3 |
| 2018 | 55.2 |
| 2017 | 55.4 |
| 2016 | 54.7 |
| 2015 | 54.6 |
| 2014 | 53.3 |
| 2013 | 53.1 |
| 2012 | 52.5 |
| 2011 | 52.2 |
| 2010 | 52.3 |
| 2009 | 54 |
| 2008 | 55.8 |
| 2007 | 55.9 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2005 | 56.1 |
| 2004 | 56.3 |
| 2003 | 56.5 |
| 2002 | 56.7 |
| 2001 | 57 |
| 2000 | 57.3 |
| 1999 | 57.5 |
| 1998 | 57.7 |
| 1997 | 58 |
| 1996 | 58 |
| 1995 | 58 |
| 1994 | 57.9 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1992 | 58 |
| 1991 | 58 |
| 1990 | 58.1 |
Rankings
- Countries by labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over
- EU countries by labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over
Definition
The labor force, comprising employed and unemployed people, as a percentage of the population aged 15 and over. ILO modelled estimates published by the World Bank, annual.
A separate series from labor_force_participation_rate, which is the US civilian series for ages 16 and over from the Current Population Survey. This one covers ages 15 and over for countries and the World.
How to cite
World Bank, World Development Indicators, modelled estimate. Labor force participation rate, total, % of total population ages 15+, modeled ILO estimate (SL.TLF.CACT.ZS). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Retrieved 2026-10-11.Use this data in your AI agent
Invokely serves this figure to AI assistants through MCP and to code through a REST API, with the source and citation attached. Ask your assistant:
What is the latest labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa? Cite the source.
get_value {"indicator":"labor_force_participation_rate_15_plus","place":"za"}
GET https://invokely.ai/api/v1/value?indicator=labor_force_participation_rate_15_plus&place=zaQuestions
What is the labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa?
Labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa was 55.6% in 2025, according to the World Bank. That is unchanged from 2024. That is the 135th highest of 181 countries in 2025.
Where does this figure come from?
World Bank. Labor force participation rate, total, % of total population ages 15+, modeled ILO estimate (SL.TLF.CACT.ZS). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-11.
What was the highest labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over in South Africa?
58.1% in 1990, the highest value since 1990 in this series.