Gender wage gap in South Africa
South Africa: Gender wage gap was 9.52 in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Gender wage gap in South Africa, 2000–2019
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gender wage gap in South Africa is 9.52, measured in 2019.
That represents a change of down 4.8% on the previous year and down 39.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gender wage gap in South Africa peaked at 20 in 2015 and was at its lowest, -10.86, in 2003.
That places South Africa 28th out of 67 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.
Gender wage gap in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.78 | — |
| 2001 | -4.07 | -170.3% |
| 2002 | -8.66 | +112.9% |
| 2003 | -10.86 | +25.5% |
| 2004 | -5.43 | -50.0% |
| 2005 | -8.86 | +63.1% |
| 2006 | 6.15 | -169.4% |
| 2007 | -7.51 | -222.2% |
| 2010 | 15.69 | -308.9% |
| 2011 | 14.89 | -5.1% |
| 2012 | 11 | -26.1% |
| 2013 | 11.04 | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 16.75 | +51.7% |
| 2015 | 20 | +19.4% |
| 2018 | 10 | -50.0% |
| 2019 | 9.52 | -4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -4.18 | -10.86 | 6.15 | 8 |
| 2010s | 13.61 | 9.52 | 20 | 8 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gender wage gap in South Africa?
- Gender wage gap in South Africa was 9.52 in 2019, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest gender wage gap recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 20 in 2015.
- What is the lowest gender wage gap recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -10.86 in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for gender wage gap?
- South Africa ranks 28th out of 67 countries with data for 2019.
- Is gender wage gap rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 39.3%. 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 Gender wage gap. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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 gender wage gap is unadjusted and is calculated as the difference between average earnings of men and average earnings of women expressed as a percentage of average earnings of men. This indicator provides a measure of the relative difference between the earnings of men and those of women. Data disaggregated by occupation are provided according to the latest version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). Data may have been regrouped from the national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCO. For more information, refer to the Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) database description.