Employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa

South Africa: Employed persons in the tourism industries was 590,937 in 2022. ▬ Flat

Latest (2022)
590,937
Change on year
up 40.2%
World rank
35th
of 91 countries
All-time high
619,111
in 2019
All-time low
381,058
in 2020
Years of data
15
2008–2022

Employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa, 2008–2022

0200.0k400.0k600.0k2008201520222008: 514.7k2009: 486.6k2010: 498.9k2011: 516.3k2012: 531.1k2013: 529.6k2014: 550.5k2015: 525.4k2016: 515.4k2017: 473.8k2018: 505.0k2019: 619.1k2020: 381.1k2021: 421.4k2022: 590.9k

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa is 590,937, measured in 2022.

The figure is up 40.2% on the previous year and up 11.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa peaked at 619,111 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 381,058, in 2020.

South Africa ranks 35th of 91 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Employed persons in the tourism industries (number) in South Africa, 2008 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2008 514,735
2009 486,577 -5.5%
2010 498,869 +2.5%
2011 516,335 +3.5%
2012 531,120 +2.9%
2013 529,612 -0.3%
2014 550,452 +3.9%
2015 525,395 -4.6%
2016 515,432 -1.9%
2017 473,832 -8.1%
2018 505,046 +6.6%
2019 619,111 +22.6%
2020 381,058 -38.5%
2021 421,402 +10.6%
2022 590,937 +40.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 500,656 486,577 514,735 2
2010s 526,520 473,832 619,111 10
2020s 464,466 381,058 590,937 3

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 32 Dominican Republic 661,540 compare
  2. 33 Portugal 650,347 compare
  3. 34 Chile 637,557 compare
  4. 36 Greece 566,240 compare
  5. 37 Sri Lanka 560,539 compare
  6. 38 Australia 500,900 compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More economy & growth data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa?
Employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa was 590,937 in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest employed persons in the tourism industries recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 619,111 in 2019.
What is the lowest employed persons in the tourism industries recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 381,058 in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for employed persons in the tourism industries?
South Africa ranks 35th out of 91 countries with data for 2022.
Is employed persons in the tourism industries rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Employed persons in the tourism industries (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Employed persons in the tourism industries in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/stat/employed-persons-in-the-tourism-industries-number/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Employed persons in the tourism industries (number)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
113 places, 1,414 data points, 2008–2024
Last refreshed