Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation (local) in South Africa
South Africa: Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation (local) was 20 cur lcu in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa, 2000–2019
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in cur lcu.
Analysis
In 2019, average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa stood at 20 cur lcu.
That represents a change of up 5.3% on the previous year and down 37.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa peaked at 50.08 cur lcu in 2015 and was at its lowest, 12.83 cur lcu, in 2000.
That places South Africa 52nd out of 70 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation (local) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | cur lcu | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.83 cur lcu | — |
| 2001 | 13.21 cur lcu | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 13.01 cur lcu | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 13.83 cur lcu | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 14.36 cur lcu | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 15.86 cur lcu | +10.4% |
| 2006 | 18.2 cur lcu | +14.8% |
| 2007 | 20.56 cur lcu | +13.0% |
| 2010 | 32.16 cur lcu | +56.4% |
| 2011 | 34.35 cur lcu | +6.8% |
| 2012 | 38.8 cur lcu | +13.0% |
| 2013 | 47.57 cur lcu | +22.6% |
| 2014 | 44.39 cur lcu | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 50.08 cur lcu | +12.8% |
| 2018 | 19 cur lcu | -62.1% |
| 2019 | 20 cur lcu | +5.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 20 cur lcu is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 91.42 cur lcu, 22% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 20 cur lcu is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 124.07 cur lcu, 16% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation (local) in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | -62.1% | 50.08 cur lcu | 19 cur lcu |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.23 cur lcu | 12.83 cur lcu | 20.56 cur lcu | 8 |
| 2010s | 35.79 cur lcu | 19 cur lcu | 50.08 cur lcu | 8 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 49 Finland 21.6 cur lcu compare
- 50 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 20.56 cur lcu compare
- 50 United Kingdom 20.56 cur lcu compare
- 53 Belgium 19.91 cur lcu compare
- 54 Brazil 19.56 cur lcu compare
- 55 State of Palestine 18.73 cur lcu compare
More development goals data for South Africa
- Red List Index 0.8693 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.8 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 651.49 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 105 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 101 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 40 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 56 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 61 (2025)
- Infant deaths 28,570 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa?
- Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa was 20 cur lcu in 2019, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 50.08 cur lcu in 2015.
- What is the lowest average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.83 cur lcu in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation?
- South Africa ranks 52nd out of 70 countries with data for 2019.
- Is average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation (local currency). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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