Median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa
South Africa: Median and mean income (after tax) was 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017. ▲ Rising
Latest (2017)
12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
38th
of 47 countries
All-time high
12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2017
All-time low
9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2008
Years of data
5
2008–2017
Median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa, 2008–2017
Source: Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
In 2017, median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa stood at 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.2% on the previous year and up 36.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa peaked at 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017 and was at its lowest, 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2008.
South Africa ranks 38th of 47 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2010 | 10,377 international-$ in 2021 prices | +12.9% |
| 2012 | 10,807 international-$ in 2021 prices | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 11,788 international-$ in 2021 prices | +9.1% |
| 2017 | 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices | +6.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11,183 international-$ in 2021 prices, 1.1× the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices | 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices | 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
| 2010s | 11,372 international-$ in 2021 prices | 10,377 international-$ in 2021 prices | 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 35 Chile 15,611 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 36 Hungary 14,982 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 37 Paraguay 12,854 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 39 Brazil 11,714 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 40 Mexico 11,518 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 41 Serbia 11,376 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa?
- Median and mean income (after tax) in South Africa was 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017, according to Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest median and mean income (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 12,518 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017.
- What is the lowest median and mean income (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 9,188 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for median and mean income (after tax)?
- South Africa ranks 38th out of 47 countries with data for 2017.
- Is median and mean income (after tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Median and mean income (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average income per year of the population.