The average monthly salary for South Africans who were employed in the formal non-agricultural sector was just over 26,800 South African rands (comparable to roughly 1,500 U.S. dollars) in November 2023, which represented a yearly increase of tw0 percent. During the period under review, the overall growth trend was positive, with the earnings increasing by 24.4 percent from 21,500 South African rands (approximately 1,180 U.S. dollars) in November 2018.    Minimum wage and highest-paid professions    Starting in March 2023, the minimum hourly wage in the country increased to 25.42 South African rands (comparable to 1.40 U.S. dollars), which represented an increase of 9.6 percent from 23.19 South African rands (1.27 U.S. dollars) per hour in the preceding year. On the other hand, professionals in executive and change management positions were paid the highest salaries in South Africa, with an average of 74,000 U.S. dollars yearly. Individuals with jobs in retail, trade, and craft followed, receiving an average of 66,000 U.S. dollars per annum.       Highest unemployment among Black South Africans In 2022, the unemployment rate in South Africa was nearly 30 percent following an increasing trend since 2008. The rate was highest among Black South Africans reaching as high as 36.8 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Moreover, Colored South Africans followed with around 22 percent, while white South Africans had a much lower unemployment rate of over 7 percent.

Wages in South Africa decreased to 28289 ZAR/Month in the first quarter of 2025 from 28316 ZAR/Month in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Total Quarterly Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As of 2024, Morocco had the highest average monthly salaries in Africa. Employees in the country earned around ***** U.S. dollars per month. South Africa and Tunisia followed, with average monthly salaries amounting to ***** U.S. dollars and ***** U.S. dollars, respectively.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in 3 Year Bachelor Of Science In Computer Science-Univ. Of South Africa from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of 3 Year Bachelor Of Science In Computer Science-Univ. Of South Africa relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in 3 Year Bachelor Of Science In Computer Science-Univ. Of South Africa, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Key information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• South Africa Monthly Earnings stood at 1,547 USD in Aug 2024, compared with the previous figure of 1,470 USD in May 2024
• South Africa Monthly Earnings data is updated quarterly, available from Nov 2004 to Aug 2024, with an average number of 1,473 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 1,877 USD in Aug 2011 and a record low of 968 USD in Feb 2009

CEIC converts Monthly Earnings into USD. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal Average Monthly Earnings in local currency based on 2016 Business Sampling Frame. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Monthly Earnings exclude Agriculture sector. Monthly Earnings prior to Q2 2015 are based on 2013 Business Sampling Frame and prior to Q2 2013 are based on 2009 Business Sampling Frame. Monthly Earnings are in quarterly frequency, ending in February, May, August, November of each year.


Further information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, South Africa Population reached 61 million people in Jun 2022
• Unemployment Rate of South Africa dropped to 32 % in Sep 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 60 % in Sep 2024

As of 2024, the average annual salary of selected high-paid professions in South Africa was highest among radiation oncologists, with **** million South African rand (around ******* U.S. dollars) per annum. Neurosurgeons followed, with **** million South African rand (approximately *******) per year.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Middle Eastern, South Asian And African Studies Middle Eastern Studies from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Middle Eastern, South Asian And African Studies Middle Eastern Studies relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Middle Eastern, South Asian And African Studies Middle Eastern Studies, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted by Central Statistical Service (later Statistics South Africa) in October 1995 in order to determine the income and expenditure of households in South Africa. This survey shows the earnings and spendings of South African households and the pattern of household consumption. The survey covered the metropolitan, urban and rural areas of South Africa. The main purpose of the survey was to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in the different areas concerned. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index. The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country covered by the 1990 IES.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country previously referred to. By extending the sample to include the whole country, a clearer indication of the life circumstances of all South Africans in all parts of the country could be inferred.

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

Two surveys, namely the CSS’s annual October household survey (OHS) and the IES were run concurrently during October 1995. Information for the IES was obtained, as far as possible, from the same 30 000 households that were visited for the 1995 OHS. Altogether, 3 000 enumerator areas (EAs) were drawn for the sample, and ten households were visited in each EA. The sample was stratified by race, province, urban and non-urban area. The 1991 population census was used as a frame for drawing the sample, including estimates of the size of the population in the formerly independent TBVC (Transkei-Bophuthatswana-Venda-Ciskei) states. More details on the sampling frame and sampling procedure are given in the report on the 1995 OHS, Living in South Africa (CSS, 1996).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

South Africa ZA: Wages Index data was reported at 275.340 2010=100 in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 261.578 2010=100 for 2017. South Africa ZA: Wages Index data is updated yearly, averaging 127.770 2010=100 from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2018, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 275.340 2010=100 in 2018 and a record low of 87.920 2010=100 in 2009. South Africa ZA: Wages Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.IFS: Wages, Labour Cost and Employment Index: Annual.

As of 2022, Seychelles was the African country with the highest estimated minimum gross monthly wage, standing at ****** U.S. dollars. It was followed by Morocco at ****** U.S. dollars and South Africa ****** U.S. dollars. Among the selected nations, only **** countries had a minimum wage above *** U.S. dollars on the continent. Minimum wage adjustments Legislations regarding minimum wages vary significantly across countries. The minimum remuneration of employees is usually proportionate to a specific area's cost of living. Determining a minimum wage aims to increase employees' living conditions while reducing poverty and inequality. Due to rising prices and inflation, governments occasionally adjust the minimum salary. In Africa, Sierra Leone experienced the highest increase in the minimum wage in recent years, with a growth of almost ** percent between 2010 and 2019. However, governments can also lower minimum wages. Liberia and Burundi reduced the lowest possible remuneration by around ** percent and ***** percent, respectively, between 2010 and 2019. Widespread informal employment Despite legislation in force, minimum wages are not always guaranteed. In fact, several forms of employment allow employers to avoid paying minimum wages. In addition, undeclared work remains a common practice in many countries worldwide. The situation is particularly critical in some African countries. According to estimates, over ** percent of the working population in Niger, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, and Madagascar engaged in informal employment between 2019 and 2023. In Egypt and South Africa, the share stood at ** percent and ** percent, respectively. Seychelles had the lowest rate on the continent at around ** percent.

In 2022, South African households had an average disposable income of over ****** South African rand (approximately ***** U.S. dollars). This was slightly higher than the previous year where the average disposable income was ****** South African rand (around ***** U.S. dollars). Within the observed period, the disposable income of households in the country was highest in 2018 at ****** South African rand (about ***** U.S. dollars), while it was lowest in 2004.

Seychelles recorded the highest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in Africa as of 2023, at 16,940 U.S. dollars. The African island was, therefore, the only high-income country on the continent, according to the source's classification. Mauritius, Gabon, Botswana, Libya, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, and Namibia were defined as upper-middle-income economies, those with a GNI per capita between 4,516 U.S. dollars and 14,005 U.S. dollars. On the opposite, 20 African countries recorded a GNI per capita below 1,145 U.S. dollars, being thus classified as low-income economies. Among them, Burundi presented the lowest income per capita, some 230 U.S. dollars. Poverty and population growth in Africa Despite a few countries being in the high income and upper-middle countries classification, Africa had a significant number of people living under extreme poverty. However, this number is expected to decline gradually in the upcoming years, with experts forecasting that this number will decrease to almost 400 million individuals by 2030 from nearly 430 million in 2023, despite the continent currently having the highest population growth rate globally. African economic growth and prosperity In recent years, Africa showed significant growth in various industries, such as natural gas production, clean energy generation, and services exports. Furthermore, it is forecast that the GDP growth rate would reach 4.5 percent by 2027, keeping the overall positive trend of economic growth in the continent.

South Africa Annual Salary: Mining: Male data was reported at 101,162,448.773 ZAR th in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 90,896,537.984 ZAR th for 2014. South Africa Annual Salary: Mining: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 20,434,325.411 ZAR th from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2015, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 101,162,448.773 ZAR th in 2015 and a record low of 4,515,132.502 ZAR th in 1984. South Africa Annual Salary: Mining: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Mineral Resources. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G031: Gross Employee Earnings: Mining Sector.

South Africa ZA: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 82.704 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 82.712 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 82.653 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 84.146 % in 2008 and a record low of 79.848 % in 1991. South Africa ZA: Wage And Salary Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Wage and salaried workers (employees) are those workers who hold the type of jobs defined as 'paid employment jobs,' where the incumbents hold explicit (written or oral) or implicit employment contracts that give them a basic remuneration that is not directly dependent upon the revenue of the unit for which they work.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

In 2019, the average real wage in the African continent increased by a slight *** percent compared to the previous year, after it significantly dropped in 2017 and 2018 by *** percent and *** percent respectively. There have been several fluctuations in the real wages between 2010 and 2019, with the highest increase registered in 2010 at five percent.

Abstract

The Income and Expenditure Survey is conducted every five years in South Africa.The main purpose of the survey is to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in different areas of the country. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage.

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The survey covered private dwellings, workers' hostels, residential hotels, and nurses' and doctors' quarters, but excluded hospitals and clinics, hotels and guest houses, prisons, schools and student hostels and old-age homes.

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame for the IES 2010/2011 was obtained from Statistics South Africa’s Master Sample (MS) based on the 2001 Population Census enumeration areas (EAs). The scope of the Master Sample (MS) is national coverage of all households in South Africa and the target population consists of all qualifying persons and households in the country. In summary, it has been designed to cover all households living in private dwelling units and workers living in workers’ quarters in the country. The IES 2010/2011 sample is based on an extended sample of 3 254 PSUs, which consists of the 3 080 PSUs in the Master Sample and a supplement of 174 urban PSUs selected from the PSU frame. The IES sample file contained 31 419 sampled dwelling units (DUs). The 31 419 sampled DUs consist of 31 007 DUs sampled from the 3 080 design PSUs in the Master Sample and 412 DUs from the supplemented 174 urban PSUs. In the case of multiple households at a sampled DU, all households in the DU were included.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

There were four modules in the household questionnaire with eighteen subsections. The first module collected general household data and data on household members. Modules 2 to 4 collected data on consumption expenditure, household finances and income. The diary was a booklet in which the respondent recorded weekly expenditure data. A household completed a different diary for each week of the survey period.

Response rate

From the 31 419 dwelling units sampled across South Africa, 33 420 households were identified. Out of these, there was a sample realisation of 27 665 (82,8%) households, with the remaining 5 755 (17,2%) households being classified as out of scope.

Data appraisal

All continous household income and expenditure data collected during the Income and Expenditure Survey 2010-2011 are contained in the Total IES data file. The household data file contains only categorical variables. For example, expenditure data on electricity collected with the questions in sub-section 5.7 of the questionnaire will be found in the "Total_IES" data file under the COICOP codes 04511010, 04511110, 04404500. This is explained under "Data Organisation" on page 6 of the metadata record for the IES 2010 2011, which documents how the data files are organised and the variables in each data file.

Abstract

The Income and Expenditure Survey is conducted every five years in South Africa.The main purpose of the survey is to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in different areas of the country. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the “basket” of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index. The IES is based on the sample for the rotating panel of the twice yearly Labour force Survey (LFS). The IES 2000 was conducted in October 2000.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

The units of analysis in the survey are households and individuals

Universe

The survey covered all household members

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Disposable Personal Income in South Africa increased to 4830390 ZAR Million in the first quarter of 2025 from 4792181 ZAR Million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Disposable Personal Income - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The minimum hourly wage in South Africa reached ***** South African rand (**** U.S. dollars) in 2024. Compared to the previous year, this was an increase from ***** South African rand (**** U.S. dollars) per hour. This represented an increment of *** percent, which was the highest in the period reviewed. South Africa's Minister of Employment and Labor, Thusla Nxesi, announced the increase in February with effect from March 1, 2024.

Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted by Central Statistical Service (later Statistics South Africa) in October 1995 in order to determine the income and expenditure of households in South Africa. This survey shows the earnings and spendings of South African households and the pattern of household consumption. The survey covered the metropolitan, urban and rural areas of South Africa. The main purpose of the survey was to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in the different areas concerned. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

Units of analysis in the survey includes households

Universe

The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country previously referred to. By extending the sample to include the whole country, a clearer indication of the life circumstances of all South Africans in all parts of the country could be inferred.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Two surveys, namely the CSS's annual October household survey (OHS) and the IES were run concurrently during October 1995. Information for the IES was obtained, as far as possible, from the same 30 000 households that were visited for the 1995 OHS. Altogether, 3 000 enumerator areas (EAs) were drawn for the sample, and ten households were visited in each EA. The sample was stratified by race, province, urban and non-urban area. The 1991 population census was used as a frame for drawing the sample, including estimates of the size of the population in the formerly independent TBVC (Transkei-Bophuthatswana-Venda-Ciskei) states.

More details on the sampling frame and sampling procedure are given in the report on the 1995 OHS, Living in South Africa (CSS, 1996).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]