As of 2022, just over 55 percent of all men in South Africa were classified as single, which was only a slightly larger rate compared to the almost 49 percent of females among the South African adult population. At 10.2 percent, however, women made up a noticeably larger percentage of widows compared to their male counterparts at only 2.7 percent.

This statistic shows the total population of South Africa from 2013 to 2023 by gender. In 2023, South Africa's female population amounted to approximately 32.46 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 30.75 million inhabitants.

South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 9.321 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.449 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.135 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.411 % in 2007 and a record low of 8.061 % in 1969. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFWA64MAZAQ647N) from Q3 2000 to Q1 2025 about working-age, South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, and population.

In 2023, the employment rate in South Africa was under 40 percent. The share of employed individuals was higher among men than women, at 43 percent and 32.1 percent, respectively. The employment to population ratio of both genders fluctuated slightly, with the peak being in 2017 during the period under review.

Population, male (% of total population) in South Africa was reported at 48.67 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Population, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFEM64MAZAA647S) from 2000 to 2024 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, and employment.

South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data was reported at 77.532 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 76.525 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data is updated yearly, averaging 69.400 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.532 % in 2017 and a record low of 30.413 % in 1960. South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is calculated by dividing female labor force participation rate by male labor force participation rate and multiplying by 100.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above) in South Africa was reported at 91 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The labor force participation rate for males in South Africa saw no significant changes in 2024 in comparison to the previous year 2023 and remained at around 64.5 percent. In comparison to 2023, the rate decreased not significantly by 0.1 percentage points (-0.15 percent). Male labor force participation is the share of men over 15 years who are economically active. For example, all men providing labor in a specific period for the production of goods and services.Find more statistics on other topics about South Africa with key insights such as youth unemployment rate, labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64, and female labor force participation rate.

South Africa ZA: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 95.397 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 95.287 % for 2014. South Africa ZA: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 94.144 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2015, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 95.397 % in 2015 and a record low of 77.526 % in 1980. South Africa ZA: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population data was reported at 1.158 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.152 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.949 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.158 % in 2017 and a record low of 0.823 % in 1985. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 70 to 74 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population data was reported at 3.403 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.391 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 2.763 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.403 % in 2017 and a record low of 2.566 % in 1983. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 55 to 59 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

South Africa ZA: Repeaters: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data was reported at 10.824 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.391 % for 2004. South Africa ZA: Repeaters: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data is updated yearly, averaging 9.018 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2015, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.935 % in 1991 and a record low of 5.862 % in 2003. South Africa ZA: Repeaters: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Education Statistics. Repeaters in primary school are the number of students enrolled in the same grade as in the previous year, as a percentage of all students enrolled in primary school.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LREM64MAZAQ156S) from Q3 2000 to Q1 2025 about South Africa, employment-population ratio, 15 to 64 years, males, employment, population, and rate.

South Africa: Male literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2021 is 96 percent, a decline from 98 percent in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 94.32 percent, based on data from 58 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1980 to 2021 is 96.06 percent. The minimum value, 85 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 99 percent was recorded in 2014.

South Africa ZA: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 66.071 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 65.988 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 56.838 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.071 % in 2017 and a record low of 54.429 % in 1966. South Africa ZA: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 15 to 64 as a percentage of the total male population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 62.954 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 62.279 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 58.118 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.406 % in 2008 and a record low of 39.607 % in 2002. South Africa ZA: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data was reported at 105,238.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 95,344.570 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 78,333.668 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105,238.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 55,969.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population data was reported at 4.124 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.106 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 3.469 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.124 % in 2017 and a record low of 3.173 % in 1989. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 50 to 54 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;