South Africa
ZA desk: South Africa first; United States, United Kingdom, euro area, Australia and New Zealand alongside.
−0.05 pp
As of 2025 | % of population ages 15+
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 37.58% |
| 2024 | 37.63% |
| 2023 | 37.36% |
| 2022 | 35.70% |
| 2021 | 34.33% |
| 2020 | 35.78% |
| 2019 | 39.53% |
| 2018 | 40.32% |
| 2017 | 40.39% |
| 2016 | 40.20% |
| 2015 | 40.86% |
| 2014 | 40.04% |
| 2013 | 40.04% |
| 2012 | 39.52% |
| 2011 | 39.32% |
| 2010 | 39.37% |
| 2009 | 41.26% |
| 2008 | 43.29% |
| 2007 | 43.44% |
| 2006 | 43.51% |
| 2005 | 43.52% |
| 2004 | 43.59% |
| 2003 | 43.69% |
| 2002 | 43.94% |
The employment-to-population ratio (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS, modelled ILO estimate) is employed people as a share of the population aged 15 and over. Latest: 37.58% in 2025.
It is not the unemployment rate. Students, retirees and people outside the labour force sit in the denominator. From 1991 to 2025 (35 years): latest 37.58% (2025), previous year 37.63% (2024); low 34.33% (2021), high 44.98% (1996).
Source: World Bank Open Data. Licence: CC BY 4.0 (terms).