In 2023, there were nearly 18.9 million people estimated as employed in South Africa. Compared to the previous year, this was an increase from around 17.9 million individuals. From 2012 onwards, the number of employees generally increased, with a visible drop between 2020 and 2021.
Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Number of people in thousands
2023
18,882
2022
17,861
2021
17,219
2020
17,645
2019
18,205
2018
18,148
2017
18,098
2016
17,495
2015
17,346
2014
16,605
2013
16,448
05,00010,00015,00020,00025,000
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The source adds the following information:
"The employed comprise all persons of working age who, during a specified brief period, were in one of the following categories: a) paid employment (whether at work or with a job but not at work); or b) self-employment (whether at work or with an enterprise but not at work)."
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ILO. (March 14, 2024). Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/
ILO. "Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s)." Chart. March 14, 2024. Statista. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/
ILO. (2024). Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/
ILO. "Number of People Employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 14 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/
ILO, Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/ (last visited March 13, 2025)
Number of people employed in South Africa from 2013 to 2023 (in 1,000s) [Graph], ILO, March 14, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295831/number-of-employees-in-south-africa/
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