Labor Force Participation Rate in South Africa decreased to 59 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 59.30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Labor Force Participation Rate in South Africa averaged 57.61 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 60.80 percent in the first quarter of 2001 and a record low of 47.30 percent in the second quarter of 2020. source: Statistics South Africa



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 16754.00 17099.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Rate 39.70 40.60 percent Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.00 59.30 percent Mar 2026
Population 63.10 63.02 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 8137.00 7836.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 32.70 31.40 percent Mar 2026
Wages 29690.00 29650.00 ZAR/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 25364.00 25184.00 ZAR/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 60.90 57.00 percent Mar 2026


South Africa Labor Force Participation Rate
The labour force participation rates is the number of persons who are employed and unemployed but looking for a job divided by the total working-age population.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
59.00 59.30 60.80 47.30 2001 - 2026 percent Quarterly