Average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa
South Africa: Average hourly earnings of male and female employees was 2.9 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2019. ▲ Rising
Average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa, 2000–2019
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
The most recent figure for average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa is 2.9 international-$ in 2021 prices, measured in 2019.
The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and down 58.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa peaked at 9.13 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2013 and was at its lowest, 2.85 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2018.
South Africa ranks 62nd of 64 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 16 years of available data.
Average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.58 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2001 | 3.38 international-$ in 2021 prices | -5.8% |
| 2002 | 3.04 international-$ in 2021 prices | -10.0% |
| 2003 | 3.1 international-$ in 2021 prices | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 3.39 international-$ in 2021 prices | +9.3% |
| 2005 | 3.75 international-$ in 2021 prices | +10.6% |
| 2006 | 4.53 international-$ in 2021 prices | +20.8% |
| 2007 | 4.72 international-$ in 2021 prices | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 6.98 international-$ in 2021 prices | +47.9% |
| 2011 | 7.3 international-$ in 2021 prices | +4.6% |
| 2012 | 7.94 international-$ in 2021 prices | +8.7% |
| 2013 | 9.13 international-$ in 2021 prices | +14.9% |
| 2014 | 8.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | -9.5% |
| 2015 | 9.08 international-$ in 2021 prices | +9.9% |
| 2018 | 2.85 international-$ in 2021 prices | -68.6% |
| 2019 | 2.9 international-$ in 2021 prices | +1.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.69 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.04 international-$ in 2021 prices | 4.72 international-$ in 2021 prices | 8 |
| 2010s | 6.81 international-$ in 2021 prices | 2.85 international-$ in 2021 prices | 9.13 international-$ in 2021 prices | 8 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 588,323 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 594,743 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 603,304 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa?
- Average hourly earnings of male and female employees in South Africa was 2.9 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2019, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average hourly earnings of male and female employees recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 9.13 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2013.
- What is the lowest average hourly earnings of male and female employees recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.85 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for average hourly earnings of male and female employees?
- South Africa ranks 62nd out of 64 countries with data for 2019.
- Is average hourly earnings of male and female employees rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 58.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average hourly earnings of male and female employees. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross remuneration for time worked or work done, vacation, and other types of paid leave.