Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa

South Africa: Average hourly earnings of employees was 20 in 2019. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2019)
20
Change on year
up 5.3%
World rank
54th
of 73 countries
All-time high
50.08
in 2015
All-time low
0.095
in 2016
Years of data
18
2000–2019

Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa, 2000–2019

010203040502000200920192000: 13.22001: 13.22002: 132003: 13.82004: 14.42005: 15.92006: 18.22007: 20.62010: 32.22011: 34.32012: 38.82013: 47.62014: 44.42015: 50.12016: 0.0952017: 0.1022018: 192019: 20

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2019, average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa stood at 20.

The figure is up 5.3% on the previous year and down 37.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa peaked at 50.08 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.095, in 2016.

That places South Africa 54th out of 73 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Average hourly earnings of employees (Local currency) in South Africa, 2000 to 2019.
Year Value Change
2000 13.17
2001 13.21 +0.3%
2002 13.01 -1.6%
2003 13.82 +6.3%
2004 14.36 +3.9%
2005 15.87 +10.5%
2006 18.19 +14.7%
2007 20.56 +13.0%
2010 32.16 +56.4%
2011 34.35 +6.8%
2012 38.8 +13.0%
2013 47.57 +22.6%
2014 44.38 -6.7%
2015 50.08 +12.8%
2016 0.095 -99.8%
2017 0.102 +7.4%
2018 19 +18527.5%
2019 20 +5.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 15.27 13.01 20.56 8
2010s 28.65 0.095 50.08 10

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 51 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 21.67 compare
  2. 52 Finland 21.6 compare
  3. 53 Brazil 20.97 compare
  4. 55 Belgium 19.91 compare
  5. 56 Palestine, State of 19.78 compare
  6. 57 Ghana 17.3 compare

See the full ranking of 73 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa?
Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa was 20 in 2019, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest average hourly earnings of employees recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 50.08 in 2015.
What is the lowest average hourly earnings of employees recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0.095 in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for average hourly earnings of employees?
South Africa ranks 54th out of 73 countries with data for 2019.
Is average hourly earnings of employees rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 37.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Average hourly earnings of employees (Local currency). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/average-hourly-earnings-of-employees-local-currency/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Average hourly earnings of employees (Local currency)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
73 places, 1,197 data points, 1969–2026
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. Data are converted to U.S. dollars as the common currency, using exchange rates or using purchasing power parity (PPP) rates for private consumption expenditures. The latter series allows for international comparisons by taking account of the differences in relative prices between countries. For more information, refer to the Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) database description.