South Africa—Female Labor Force Participation (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #119 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
49.9%
2025
YoY Change
+0.2%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#119
of 187 countries
Maximum
49.9%
2025
Minimum
44.1%
2020
CAGR
+0.3%
26 years
Last
49.9%
Previous
49.8%
Highest
49.9%
Lowest
44.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's female labor force participation (%) was 49.9% in 2025, ranking #119 out of 187 countries. This represents a +0.2% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 49.9% (2025) and the lowest was 44.1% (2020). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.9% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 49.8% | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 49.1% | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 47.1% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 45.4% | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 44.1% | -9.1% |
| 2019 | 48.6% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 48.5% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 48.6% | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 47.7% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 47.7% | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 46.5% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 46.3% | +2.1% |
| 2012 | 45.3% | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 45.1% | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 44.8% | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 46.4% | -3.5% |
| 2008 | 48.1% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 48.0% | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 47.8% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 47.7% | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 47.5% | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 47.3% | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 47.1% | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 46.8% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 46.6% |
Top Countries — Female Labor Force Participation (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madagascar | 82.9% | 2025 |
| 2 | Solomon Islands | 82.3% | 2025 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 80.7% | 2025 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 80.3% | 2025 |
| 5 | Burundi | 79.5% | 2025 |
| 6 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 77.7% | 2025 |
| 7 | Cambodia | 77.4% | 2025 |
| 8 | Mozambique | 77.1% | 2025 |
| 9 | Uganda | 75.6% | 2025 |
| 10 | Benin | 75.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.
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.