South Africa: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)
In , South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) was 49.88.
That's up 0.2% from 2024, the highest value on record.
The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 51.40 . South Africa ranks #118 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #33 of 45.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) • Data as of 2025
Trend (2006–2025)
- 2008 · Global financial crisis
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 49.88
- Trough
- 44.15
- 1-year change
- +0.2%
- 5-year change
- +13.0%
- +2.5% / yr
- 10-year change
- +4.5%
- +0.4% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) |
|---|---|
| 49.8810 | |
| 49.8010 | |
| 49.0520 | |
| 47.1180 | |
| 45.4130 | |
| 44.1480 | |
| 48.5790 | |
| 48.5180 | |
| 48.6320 | |
| 47.7400 |
About Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)
The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.
Indicator code: SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS • Category: Labor & Business
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?
- In 2025, South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) was 49.88, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?
- South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) rose 0.2% from 2024 to 2025.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)?
- In 2025, South Africa ranked #118 out of 182 countries reporting Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate).
- How does South Africa's Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025 was 51.40, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #33 of 45.
- What is Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) and how is it measured?
- The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS), CC BY 4.0.