Share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa
South Africa: Share of children engaged in economic activity was 0.399 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa, 2010–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2024, share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa stood at 0.399.
The figure is up 26.3% on the previous year and down 23.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa peaked at 1.8 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.28, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 37th of 37 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.8 | — |
| 2011 | 0.614 | -65.9% |
| 2012 | 0.534 | -13.0% |
| 2013 | 0.603 | +12.9% |
| 2014 | 0.519 | -13.9% |
| 2015 | 0.695 | +33.9% |
| 2016 | 0.561 | -19.3% |
| 2019 | 0.396 | -29.4% |
| 2020 | 0.334 | -15.7% |
| 2021 | 0.28 | -16.2% |
| 2022 | 0.296 | +5.7% |
| 2023 | 0.316 | +6.8% |
| 2024 | 0.399 | +26.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 0.7153 | 0.396 | 1.8 | 8 |
| 2020s | 0.325 | 0.28 | 0.399 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 51,011 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 51,011 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa?
- Share of children engaged in economic activity in South Africa was 0.399 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest share of children engaged in economic activity recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.8 in 2010.
- What is the lowest share of children engaged in economic activity recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.28 in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for share of children engaged in economic activity?
- South Africa ranks 37th out of 37 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of children engaged in economic activity rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Share of children engaged in economic activity (15-17). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
This indicator is based on harmonized definitions used by the ILO in the context of producing global estimates. Data may differ from nationally reported figures. This indicator refers to children ages 5-17 years old engaged in any form of market production and certain types of non-market production (principally that of goods such as agricultural produce for own use). This includes work in both the formal and informal economy, inside and outside family settings, for pay or profit (cash or in-kind, part-time or full-time) and domestic work outside the child's own household for an employer (paid or unpaid). For more information, refer to the Child Labour Statistics (CHILD) database description.