Europe & Central Asia vs South Africa: Labor force, total
Labor force, total over time
- Europe & Central Asia
- South Africa
How they compare
Europe & Central Asia currently reports 429.15 million against 26.73 million in South Africa, a difference of 402.42 million.
That makes Europe & Central Asia's figure about 16.1 times South Africa's.
Across all 36 years both countries report, Europe & Central Asia has been ahead every year.
Europe & Central Asia ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 26th of 45 groups.
Europe & Central Asia has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Europe & Central Asia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 389.09 million | 16.03 million | 373.06 million | Europe & Central Asia |
| 2000s | 407.84 million | 18.90 million | 388.94 million | Europe & Central Asia |
| 2010s | 431.58 million | 21.56 million | 410.01 million | Europe & Central Asia |
| 2020s | 430.02 million | 24.87 million | 405.15 million | Europe & Central Asia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher labor force, total, Europe & Central Asia or South Africa?
- Europe & Central Asia, at 429.15 million against 26.73 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in labor force, total between Europe & Central Asia and South Africa?
- 402.42 million, with Europe & Central Asia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Europe & Central Asia and South Africa?
- 36 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
- How do Europe & Central Asia and South Africa rank globally for labor force, total?
- Europe & Central Asia ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 26th of 45 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database, published as Labor force, total. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
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About this data
Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.