Youth working-age population in South Africa
South Africa: Youth working-age population was 15,604 in 2024. ▬ Flat
Youth working-age population in South Africa, 2015–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2024, youth working-age population in South Africa stood at 15,604. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth working-age population in South Africa peaked at 15,604 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 15,196, in 2015.
That places South Africa 5th out of 58 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Youth working-age population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15,196 | — |
| 2016 | 15,297 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 15,386 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 15,451 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 15,500 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 15,530 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 15,549 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 15,566 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 15,584 | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 15,604 | +0.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 15,604 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,508, 6.2× the median. (15 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 15,604 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6,075, 2.6× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 15,366 | 15,196 | 15,500 | 5 |
| 2020s | 15,567 | 15,530 | 15,604 | 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 youth working-age population in South Africa?
- Youth working-age population in South Africa was 15,604 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest youth working-age population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15,604 in 2024.
- What is the lowest youth working-age population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15,196 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for youth working-age population?
- South Africa ranks 5th out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth working-age population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. 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, published as part of Youth working-age population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The youth working-age population is defined as persons aged between 15 and 29 years old. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Youth Labour Market Indicators (YouthSTATS) database description.