Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa
South Africa: Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) was 6.83 in 2017. ▼ Falling
Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa, 2008–2017
Source: Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 6.83 for income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in 2017. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.0% on the previous year and down 24.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa peaked at 9.27 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 6.83, in 2017.
That places South Africa 1st out of 48 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the top 10%.
Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 9.04 | — |
| 2010 | 9.27 | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 7.08 | -23.6% |
| 2015 | 7.04 | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 6.83 | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9.04 | 9.04 | 9.04 | 1 |
| 2010s | 7.56 | 6.83 | 9.27 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1225 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per capita 808.52 current US$ per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per unit of GDP 2.19 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per capita 14,463 current LCU per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.0949 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant 2015 US$), per capita 626.22 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant LCU), per capita 7,985 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual 5.53 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa?
- Income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in South Africa was 6.83 in 2017, according to Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 9.27 in 2010.
- What is the lowest income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.83 in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for income inequality: palma ratio (after tax)?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 48 countries with data for 2017.
- Is income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The Palma ratio is a measure of inequality that divides the share received by the richest 10% by the share of the poorest 40%. Higher values indicate higher inequality. Inequality is measured here in terms of income after taxes and benefits.