Labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa
South Africa: Labor force, total, annual growth rate was 1.4 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa, 1991–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
In 2025, labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa stood at 1.4 % change on previous year.
The figure is down 45.0% on the previous year and down 70.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa peaked at 5.07 % change on previous year in 2021 and was at its lowest, -6.49 % change on previous year, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 88th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2.55 % change on previous year | — |
| 1992 | 1.76 % change on previous year | -30.7% |
| 1993 | 2.36 % change on previous year | +33.8% |
| 1994 | 1.7 % change on previous year | -27.9% |
| 1995 | 0.888 % change on previous year | -47.8% |
| 1996 | 1.26 % change on previous year | +41.8% |
| 1997 | 1.52 % change on previous year | +20.8% |
| 1998 | 2 % change on previous year | +31.8% |
| 1999 | 1.95 % change on previous year | -2.8% |
| 2000 | 1.79 % change on previous year | -7.9% |
| 2001 | 1.75 % change on previous year | -2.4% |
| 2002 | 1.83 % change on previous year | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 1.81 % change on previous year | -1.0% |
| 2004 | 1.69 % change on previous year | -6.7% |
| 2005 | 1.55 % change on previous year | -8.4% |
| 2006 | 1.45 % change on previous year | -6.2% |
| 2007 | 1.42 % change on previous year | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 1.44 % change on previous year | +1.2% |
| 2009 | -1.79 % change on previous year | -224.3% |
| 2010 | -1.6 % change on previous year | -10.4% |
| 2011 | 1.46 % change on previous year | -191.2% |
| 2012 | 2.46 % change on previous year | +68.5% |
| 2013 | 3.08 % change on previous year | +25.2% |
| 2014 | 2.39 % change on previous year | -22.4% |
| 2015 | 4.76 % change on previous year | +99.2% |
| 2016 | 1.15 % change on previous year | -75.9% |
| 2017 | 1.93 % change on previous year | +68.6% |
| 2018 | 1.91 % change on previous year | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 2.46 % change on previous year | +29.0% |
| 2020 | -6.49 % change on previous year | -363.8% |
| 2021 | 5.07 % change on previous year | -178.1% |
| 2022 | 4.72 % change on previous year | -7.0% |
| 2023 | 4.55 % change on previous year | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 2.55 % change on previous year | -44.0% |
| 2025 | 1.4 % change on previous year | -45.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.78 % change on previous year | 0.888 % change on previous year | 2.55 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 2000s | 1.29 % change on previous year | -1.79 % change on previous year | 1.83 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 2 % change on previous year | -1.6 % change on previous year | 4.76 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.97 % change on previous year | -6.49 % change on previous year | 5.07 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 85 India 1.5 % change on previous year compare
- 86 Paraguay 1.49 % change on previous year compare
- 87 Australia 1.47 % change on previous year compare
- 89 Mexico 1.35 % change on previous year compare
- 90 Indonesia 1.31 % change on previous year compare
- 91 El Salvador 1.3 % change on previous year compare
More education data for South Africa
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 287,310 (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 4 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 67.4% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 25.7% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 14 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 7 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 101.77 (2023)
- School enrollment, primary 101.8% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa?
- Labor force, total, annual growth rate in South Africa was 1.4 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest labor force, total, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.07 % change on previous year in 2021.
- What is the lowest labor force, total, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -6.49 % change on previous year in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for labor force, total, annual growth rate?
- South Africa ranks 88th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, total, annual growth rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Labor force, total, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Labor force, total. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Labor force, total International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Labor force, total. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.