South Africa—Male Labor Force Participation (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development IndicatorsGlobal Rank: #159 of 187
Latest Value
61.7%
2025
YoY Change
-0.1%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#159
of 187 countries
Maximum
69.9%
2000
Minimum
57.5%
2020
CAGR
-0.5%
26 years
Last
61.7%
Previous
61.8%
Highest
69.9%
Lowest
57.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61.7% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 61.8% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 61.5% | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 60.4% | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 59.2% | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 57.5% | -8.1% |
| 2019 | 62.6% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 62.5% | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 62.8% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 62.4% | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 62.1% | +2.1% |
| 2014 | 60.9% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 60.7% | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 60.5% | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 60.1% | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 60.7% | -2.9% |
| 2009 | 62.5% | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 64.6% | -0.5% |
| 2007 | 64.9% | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 65.3% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 65.8% | -0.9% |
| 2004 | 66.4% | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 67.2% | -1.3% |
| 2002 | 68.1% | -1.3% |
| 2001 | 69.0% | -1.3% |
| 2000 | 69.9% |
Top Countries — Male Labor Force Participation (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 95.6% | 2025 |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | 91.5% | 2025 |
| 3 | Kuwait | 88.6% | 2025 |
| 4 | Oman | 88.1% | 2025 |
| 5 | Madagascar | 88.1% | 2025 |
| 6 | Cambodia | 87.8% | 2025 |
| 7 | Tanzania | 87.3% | 2025 |
| 8 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 86.8% | 2025 |
| 9 | Niger | 86.5% | 2025 |
| 10 | Solomon Islands | 86.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.
Source: World Bank - World Development IndicatorsView original source →