Least developed countries vs South Africa: Labor force, total

Least developed countries
450.68 million
in 2025
South Africa
26.73 million
in 2025
Least developed countries rank
23rd
South Africa rank
26th

Labor force, total over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
0100.0M200.0M300.0M400.0M500.0M199020072025

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 450.68 million against 26.73 million in South Africa, a difference of 423.95 million.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 16.9 times South Africa's.

Across all 36 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 23rd and South Africa ranks 26th of 47 groups.

Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 218.79 million 16.03 million 202.75 million Least developed countries
2000s 286.15 million 18.90 million 267.25 million Least developed countries
2010s 362.85 million 21.56 million 341.29 million Least developed countries
2020s 431.62 million 24.87 million 406.75 million Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher labor force, total, Least developed countries or South Africa?
Least developed countries, at 450.68 million against 26.73 million in South Africa as of 2025.
What is the difference in labor force, total between Least developed countries and South Africa?
423.95 million, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
36 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for labor force, total?
Least developed countries ranks 23rd 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.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Labor force, total. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database. Retrieved 14 November 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/labor-force-total/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force, total
Source
International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
235 places, 8,446 data points, 1990–2025
Last refreshed

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.