Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) vs South Africa: Labor force, total
Labor force, total over time
- Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)
- South Africa
How they compare
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) currently reports 318.69 million against 26.73 million in South Africa, a difference of 291.96 million.
That makes Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)'s figure about 11.9 times South Africa's.
Across all 36 years both countries report, Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) has been ahead every year.
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 26th of 47 groups.
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 189.86 million | 16.03 million | 173.83 million | Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) |
| 2000s | 240.00 million | 18.90 million | 221.11 million | Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) |
| 2010s | 283.08 million | 21.56 million | 261.52 million | Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) |
| 2020s | 306.33 million | 24.87 million | 281.46 million | Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher labor force, total, Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) or South Africa?
- Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries), at 318.69 million against 26.73 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in labor force, total between Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) and South Africa?
- 291.96 million, with Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) and South Africa?
- 36 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
- How do Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) and South Africa rank globally for labor force, total?
- Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 26th of 47 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.
Individual pages
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.