South Africa—Total Labor Force
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development IndicatorsGlobal Rank: #27 of 188
Latest Value
26.7M
2025
YoY Change
+1.4%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#27
of 188 countries
Maximum
26.7M
2025
Minimum
17.6M
2000
CAGR
+1.7%
26 years
Last
26.7M
Previous
26.4M
Highest
26.7M
Lowest
17.6M
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26.7M | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 26.4M | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 25.7M | +4.6% |
| 2022 | 24.6M | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 23.5M | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 22.3M | -6.5% |
| 2019 | 23.9M | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 23.3M | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 22.9M | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 22.5M | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 22.2M | +4.8% |
| 2014 | 21.2M | +2.4% |
| 2013 | 20.7M | +3.1% |
| 2012 | 20.1M | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 19.6M | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 19.3M | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 19.6M | -1.8% |
| 2008 | 20.0M | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 19.7M | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 19.4M | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 19.1M | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 18.9M | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 18.5M | +1.8% |
| 2002 | 18.2M | +1.8% |
| 2001 | 17.9M | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 17.6M |
Top Countries — Total Labor Force
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World | 3.73B | 2025 |
| 2 | China | 767.6M | 2025 |
| 3 | India | 617.6M | 2025 |
| 4 | United States | 174.8M | 2025 |
| 5 | Indonesia | 147.1M | 2025 |
| 6 | Nigeria | 116.6M | 2025 |
| 7 | Brazil | 108.3M | 2025 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 85.2M | 2025 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 74.7M | 2025 |
| 10 | Russian Federation | 72.4M | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Total Labor Force — World Bank World Development Indicators.
Methodology
Data compiled by Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Source: World BankView original source →