Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa
South Africa: Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation was 20 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.
Analysis
In 2019, average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation in South Africa stood at 20.
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 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 12.83, 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 in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.83 | — |
| 2001 | 13.21 | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 13.01 | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 13.83 | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 14.36 | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 15.86 | +10.4% |
| 2006 | 18.2 | +14.8% |
| 2007 | 20.56 | +13.0% |
| 2010 | 32.16 | +56.4% |
| 2011 | 34.35 | +6.8% |
| 2012 | 38.8 | +13.0% |
| 2013 | 47.57 | +22.6% |
| 2014 | 44.39 | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 50.08 | +12.8% |
| 2018 | 19 | -62.1% |
| 2019 | 20 | +5.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 20 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 91.42, 22% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 20 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 124.07, 16% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Average hourly earnings of employees by sex and occupation 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 | 19 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.23 | 12.83 | 20.56 | 8 |
| 2010s | 35.79 | 19 | 50.08 | 8 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 49 Finland 21.6 compare
- 50 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 20.56 compare
- 50 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 20.56 compare
- 53 Belgium 19.91 compare
- 54 Brazil 19.56 compare
- 55 State of Palestine 18.73 compare
More development goals data for South Africa
- Red List Index 0.8693 (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.8 (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 651.49 (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 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 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 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).