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South Africa Labor force, female 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Labor force, female in South Africa stood at 12.45 million in 2025, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 1.6% from 12.26 million in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 10.16 million (up 23% since). The latest value is the highest since 1990; the lowest was 5.567 million in 1990. South Africa ranked 23rd highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; China ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Category: Demographics · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1990–2025
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What is Labor force, female?

Labor force, female reflects labor market conditions in South Africa, indicating the balance between available workers and job openings. It serves as a crucial signal of economic health, consumer spending capacity, and social stability. Labor market data typically includes multiple dimensions: unemployment rates, employment-to-population ratios, labor force participation, and wage growth. Each metric captures different aspects of job market dynamics — for example, the unemployment rate counts only those actively seeking work, while the participation rate reveals how many working-age people are engaged in the labor market. In South Africa, labor statistics are gathered through household surveys, employer reports, and administrative records like unemployment benefit claims. Changes in Labor force, female often precede broader economic shifts: rising unemployment typically signals slowing economic activity, while tightening labor markets may foreshadow wage pressures and inflation.

Key facts

What is the latest Labor force, female in South Africa?

Labor force, female in South Africa stood at 12.45 million in 2025, according to World Bank.

Is Labor force, female in South Africa rising or falling?

The latest value is up 1.6% from 12.26 million in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 10.16 million (up 23% since).

How does South Africa rank for Labor force, female?

South Africa ranked 23rd highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; China ranked first.

What is the highest Labor force, female on record in South Africa?

The latest value is the highest since 1990; the lowest was 5.567 million in 1990.

Metadata for Labor force, female in South Africa
IndicatorLabor force, female
CountrySouth Africa
CategoryDemographics
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Current rate: 12.45 million (2025)

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Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Labor force, female — South Africa [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-sl-tlf-totl-fe-in/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.IN

MLA

World Bank. "Labor force, female — South Africa." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-sl-tlf-totl-fe-in/ZAF. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.IN.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Labor force, female — South Africa." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-sl-tlf-totl-fe-in/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.IN.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_wdi_sl_tlf_totl_fe_in_zaf,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Labor force, female --- South Africa}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-sl-tlf-totl-fe-in/ZAF},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.IN}
}