Median income per year (after tax) in South Africa
South Africa: Median income per year (after tax) was 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017. ▲ Rising
Median income per year (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
South Africa recorded 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices for median income per year (after tax) in 2017. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is up 9.4% on the previous year and up 67.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, median income per year (after tax) in South Africa peaked at 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017 and was at its lowest, 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2008.
That places South Africa 44th out of 47 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Median income per year (after tax) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2010 | 4,060 international-$ in 2021 prices | +19.1% |
| 2012 | 4,671 international-$ in 2021 prices | +15.1% |
| 2015 | 5,222 international-$ in 2021 prices | +11.8% |
| 2017 | 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices | +9.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
| 2010s | 4,917 international-$ in 2021 prices | 4,060 international-$ in 2021 prices | 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 41 Brazil 8,323 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 42 Colombia 6,180 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 43 Peru 5,750 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 45 Georgia 5,712 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 46 Philippines 5,074 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 47 Mali 4,200 international-$ in 2021 prices
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)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), annual growth rate 2.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per capita 37,072 current LCU per person (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate -2.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.232 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per capita 1,531 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross fixed capital formation (current US$), annual growth rate 1.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross fixed capital formation (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1388 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is median income per year (after tax) in South Africa?
- Median income per year (after tax) in South Africa was 5,715 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 income per year (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5,715 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017.
- What is the lowest median income per year (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,409 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for median income per year (after tax)?
- South Africa ranks 44th out of 47 countries with data for 2017.
- Is median income per year (after tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.6%. 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 income per year (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Value of income per year below which 50% of the population live.