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South Africa
- Recruitment landscape
- Economic indicators
- Labor market
- Working life
Your global agency guide to...
South Africa
South Africa, the world's 40th largest economy with a GDP of $377.8 billion, boasts industries like mining, automobile assembly, and chemicals. Despite a stable working-age population, its 28% unemployment rate poses challenges for the labor market. The country has a moderate number of recruitment agencies, with limited specialization.
South Africa'S
AGENCY LANDSCAPE
2.6K
Agencies operating in South Africa
A high number of agencies indicates a mature recruitment industry, marked by strong talent demand, established labor laws and economic stability.
15-20%
Typical fee range
Countries with higher fees imply finding talent is harder to find whilst lower fees indicate a high-volume, commoditized market.
South Africa'S
FEATURED AGENCIES
Square 1 Recruitment
Data Fin
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South Africa'S
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) RATING
40
WORLD RANKED
South Africa ranks 40th in the world by current economic output
$378B
NOMINAL GDP (US$)
GDP reflects the overall size and economic strength of the country’s economy.
22
EMEA RANKED
South Africa is the 22nd biggest GDP in EMEA out of 109 countries in the region
GDP GROWTH (%)
The above chart compares how South Africa's GDP has grown, compared to the rest of the world and the EMEA region in the last 7 years.
Positive growth indicates an expanding economy, while negative growth or recession signifies economic contraction. Strong growth can encourage hiring, but slower growth might lead to freezes or layoffs, influencing talent sourcing as businesses adapt to changing market conditions and demands.
South Africa'S
CURRENCY AND CODE
R
Country currency
ZAF
Country ISO code
South Africa'S
INFLATION RATE
4.9%
CURRENT RATE
▼1% REDUCTION
Inflation represents the rate at which prices rise and purchasing power diminishes. High inflation may prompt employees to seek higher wages, potentially impacting company profitability. This situation could lead to budget constraints or hiring freezes, which might influence talent availability and sourcing strategies.
South Africa'S
COST OF LIVING
COST OF LIVING INDEX EXPLAINED
The cost of living has a direct impact on salary expectations and the competitiveness of compensation packages. It can influence the appeal of certain locations-while high-cost areas may attract highly skilled professionals looking for higher salaries, lower-cost areas can appeal to companies looking to minimize salary expenses or candidates seeking a better work-life balance.
South Africa'S
LABOUR STATISTICS
60M
POPULATION
With a population of 60,143,000, South Africa is a medium sized country by global standards. South Africa's youth population is close to the world average, suggesting a consistent influx of new workers, but may not see any significant growth. The working population in South Africa is close to the world average, suggesting a stable labor market that can adequately meet the economy's demands. South Africa's elderly population is close to the world average, suggesting a manageable dependency ratio, where the working-age population can effectively support the elderly.
South Africa'S
RELIGION AND ETHNICITY
Religion
In religiously diverse countries, a broad sourcing and engagement approach whilst appealing to inclusive practices resonates with this candidate market. In contrast, in a homogeneous religious environment, understanding dominant cultural norms is often more important when engaging with talent.
Ethnicity
In ethnically diverse countries, there may be a greater variety of candidates with different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Employers may need to focus more on inclusive hiring practices to ensure they attract talent from across different ethnic groups.
South Africa'S
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
28.0%
CURRENT PERCENTAGE
▼0.85% REDUCTION
South Africa has a severly unhealthy unemployment rate, signalling there is significant economic problems. Between 2022 and 2023, there was a moderate decrease, suggesting a positive shift toward better economic stability and improvement in job availability
South Africa'S
TOP PERFORMING INDUSTRIES
Top industries
Mining (world's largest producer of platinum
Automobile assembly
Iron and steel
South Africa'S
GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS
RATIO OF MALES TO FEMALES (BY AGE)
LABOUR PARTICIPATION BY GENDER (%)
64
/
52
Male | Female
In South Africa there is a medium gap in participation rates between males and females, indicating moderate inequality with some progress towards gender parity.
South Africa'S
WORKING LIFE
12DAYS
Minimum annual holidays
Minimum annual holidays reflect mandated leave. Hiring in countries with high allowances (over 25 days) will require emphasizing work-life balance when recruiting. In countries with fewer holidays (under 15 days), offering additional leave can enhance recruitment and set the organization apart.
South Africa'S
TOP BENEFITS
10WEEKS
Maternity leave
Maternity Leave: 4 months unpaid, starts 4 weeks before birth. UIF claims possible. Notify employer 4 weeks prior, no work for 6 weeks post-birth. Extended leave unpaid. Paternity/Parental Leave: None specific. 10 days parental leave under BCEA, unpaid, notify 1 month in advance. Adoption grants 10 weeks for one parent or 10 days for the other. Commissioning parental leave for surrogates applicable.
30DAYS
Sick leave
Employees get 30 days of paid sick leave every 3 years and 3 days of family leave per year if their child is ill. Pay is 100% by the employer. New employees earn 1 sick day per 26 worked in the first 6 months. Medical certificates are needed for absences over 2 days.
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