South Africa: Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)
In , South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) was 61.74.
That's down 0.1% from 2024, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 69.85 . South Africa ranks #155 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #37 of 45.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS) • Data as of 2025
Trend (2006–2025)
- 2008 · Global financial crisis
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 65.34
- Trough
- 57.53
- 1-year change
- -0.1%
- 5-year change
- +7.3%
- +1.4% / yr
- 10-year change
- -0.7%
- -0.1% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) |
|---|---|
| 61.7390 | |
| 61.7880 | |
| 61.4590 | |
| 60.4040 | |
| 59.2040 | |
| 57.5290 | |
| 62.5920 | |
| 62.4680 | |
| 62.7940 | |
| 62.3860 |
About Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.
Indicator code: SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS • Category: Labor & Business
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?
- In 2025, South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) was 61.74, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?
- South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) fell 0.1% from 2024 to 2025.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)?
- In 2025, South Africa ranked #155 out of 182 countries reporting Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate).
- How does South Africa's Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025 was 69.85, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #37 of 45.
- What is Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) and how is it measured?
- Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS), CC BY 4.0.