Ireland vs South Africa: Median monthly earnings of employees

Ireland
3,999
in 2025
South Africa
4,200
in 2020
Ireland rank
54th
South Africa rank
53rd

Median monthly earnings of employees over time

  • Ireland
  • South Africa
1.0k2.0k3.0k4.0k200020122025

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 4,200 against 3,999 in Ireland, a difference of 201.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.1 times Ireland's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 12 shared years of data; in 2004 it was Ireland ahead.

Ireland ranks 54th and South Africa ranks 53rd of 93 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Ireland averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Ireland South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 2,181 1,833 348.02 Ireland
2010s 2,844 3,202 357.87 South Africa
2020s 3,254 4,200 946.23 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher median monthly earnings of employees, Ireland or South Africa?
South Africa, at 4,200 against 3,999 in Ireland as of 2020.
What is the difference in median monthly earnings of employees between Ireland and South Africa?
201, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and South Africa?
12 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2020.
How do Ireland and South Africa rank globally for median monthly earnings of employees?
Ireland ranks 54th and South Africa ranks 53rd of 93 countries.
Where does this data come from?
International Labour Organization, published as Median monthly earnings of employees (15+). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Ireland vs South Africa: Median monthly earnings of employees. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/compare/median-monthly-earnings-of-employees-15/ireland/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Median monthly earnings of employees (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
93 places, 1,587 data points, 1989–2026
Last refreshed

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. The earnings of employees relate to the gross remuneration in cash and in kind paid to employees, as a rule at regular intervals, for time worked or work done together with remuneration for time not worked, such as annual vacation, other type of paid leave or holidays. Earnings exclude employers' contributions in respect of their employees paid to social security and pension schemes and also the benefits received by employees under these schemes. Earnings also exclude severance and termination pay. The median is the middle value, with half of employees earning less and half earning more. For more information, refer to the Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) database description.