Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa

South Africa: Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) was 9.2% in 2016. ▬ Flat

Latest (2016)
9.2%
Change on year
up 5.1%
World rank
160th
of 187 countries
All-time high
9.6%
in 1991
All-time low
7.8%
in 2008
Years of data
26
1991–2016

Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa, 1991–2016

02468101991200320161991: 9.61992: 8.51993: 8.51994: 8.61995: 8.41996: 8.51997: 8.41998: 8.31999: 8.32000: 8.22001: 8.12002: 82003: 82004: 8.32005: 8.12006: 9.22007: 8.12008: 7.82009: 8.22010: 8.62011: 8.82012: 9.32013: 8.52014: 8.12015: 8.82016: 9.2

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017.

Analysis

The most recent figure for own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa is 9.2%, measured in 2016.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.1% on the previous year and down 0.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa peaked at 9.6% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 7.8%, in 2008.

South Africa ranks 160th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Africa, 1991 to 2016.
Year Value Change
1991 9.6%
1992 8.5% -11.7%
1993 8.5% +1.0%
1994 8.6% +0.1%
1995 8.4% -1.3%
1996 8.5% +0.4%
1997 8.4% -1.0%
1998 8.3% -1.1%
1999 8.3% +0.2%
2000 8.2% -1.2%
2001 8.1% -1.8%
2002 8.0% -0.9%
2003 8.0% +0.0%
2004 8.3% +3.2%
2005 8.1% -1.9%
2006 9.2% +14.1%
2007 8.1% -12.5%
2008 7.8% -3.8%
2009 8.2% +5.7%
2010 8.6% +4.5%
2011 8.8% +2.1%
2012 9.3% +5.7%
2013 8.5% -8.5%
2014 8.1% -4.7%
2015 8.8% +8.2%
2016 9.2% +5.1%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 9.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 26.5%, 35% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 9.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 51.7%, 18% of the median. (47 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 8.6% 8.3% 9.6% 9
2000s 8.2% 7.8% 9.2% 10
2010s 8.8% 8.1% 9.3% 7

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 157 Slovenia 10.3% compare
  2. 158 Iceland 10.2% compare
  3. 159 Singapore 10.1% compare
  4. 161 Croatia 9.1% compare
  5. 162 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9.0% compare
  6. 163 Bulgaria 9.0% compare

See the full ranking of 213 places →

More gender data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa?
Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa was 9.2% in 2016, according to International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017.
What is the highest own-account workers, male (% of male employment) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 9.6% in 1991.
What is the lowest own-account workers, male (% of male employment) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 7.8% in 2008.
How does South Africa rank for own-account workers, male (% of male employment)?
South Africa ranks 160th out of 187 countries with data for 2016.
Is own-account workers, male (% of male employment) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017, published as part of Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/stat/own-account-workers-male-percent-of-male-employment-modeled-ilo-estimate/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Own-account workers, male (% of male employment) (modeled ILO estimate)
Source
International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
213 places, 5,537 data points, 1991–2016
Last refreshed

Own-account workers are workers who, working on their own account or with one or more more partners, hold the types of jobs defined as "self-employment jobs" and have not engaged on a continuous basis any employees to work for them. Own account workers are a subcategory of "self-employed".