Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+) in South Africa
South Africa: Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+) was 51,011 in 2030. ▲ Rising
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in South Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for working-age population (un estimates and projections) in South Africa is 51,011, measured in 2030. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.1% on the previous year and up 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, working-age population (un estimates and projections) in South Africa peaked at 51,011 in 2030 and was at its lowest, 25,372, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 24th of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25,372 | — |
| 1991 | 26,046 | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 26,499 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 27,167 | +2.5% |
| 1994 | 27,639 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 27,842 | +0.7% |
| 1996 | 28,186 | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 28,656 | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 29,337 | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 30,029 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 30,699 | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 31,376 | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 32,096 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 32,818 | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 33,496 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 34,114 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 34,692 | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 35,259 | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 35,825 | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 36,378 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 36,953 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 37,560 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 38,238 | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 38,992 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 39,748 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 40,666 | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 41,040 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 41,345 | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 42,286 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 43,243 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 44,211 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 45,135 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 45,960 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 46,724 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 47,440 | +1.5% |
| 2025 | 48,092 | +1.4% |
| 2026 | 48,712 | +1.3% |
| 2027 | 49,311 | +1.2% |
| 2028 | 49,900 | +1.2% |
| 2029 | 50,469 | +1.1% |
| 2030 | 51,011 | +1.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 51,011 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5,998, 8.5× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 51,011 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10,439, 4.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 27,677 | 25,372 | 30,029 | 10 |
| 2000s | 33,675 | 30,699 | 36,378 | 10 |
| 2010s | 40,007 | 36,953 | 43,243 | 10 |
| 2020s | 47,595 | 44,211 | 50,469 | 10 |
| 2030s | 51,011 | 51,011 | 51,011 | 1 |
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)
- 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)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 588,323 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is working-age population (un estimates and projections) in South Africa?
- Working-age population (un estimates and projections) in South Africa was 51,011 in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51,011 in 2030.
- What is the lowest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,372 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for working-age population (un estimates and projections)?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 188 countries with data for 2030.
- Is working-age population (un estimates and projections) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. The total population comprises persons of all ages who were living in the country during the reference period, regardless of residency status or citizenship. The source for the population figures used is the United Nations' World Population Prospects. The working-age population is commonly defined as persons aged 15 years and older. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.