Labour income distribution (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa
South Africa: Labour income distribution (ILO modelled estimates) was 0.801 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labour income distribution (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, 2004–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa stood at 0.801.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa peaked at 0.87 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.785, in 2004.
South Africa ranks 121st of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labour income distribution (ILO modelled estimates) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 0.785 | — |
| 2005 | 0.789 | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 0.793 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 0.8 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 0.804 | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 0.807 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 0.81 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 0.811 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 0.813 | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 0.815 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 0.816 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 0.815 | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 0.814 | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 0.812 | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 0.811 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 0.808 | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 0.849 | +5.1% |
| 2021 | 0.87 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 0.803 | -7.7% |
| 2023 | 0.803 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 0.802 | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 0.801 | -0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.7963 | 0.785 | 0.807 | 6 |
| 2010s | 0.8125 | 0.808 | 0.816 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.8213 | 0.801 | 0.87 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 118 Tanzania, United Republic of 0.815 compare
- 119 Tajikistan 0.806 compare
- 120 Libya 0.802 compare
- 121 Algeria 0.801 compare
- 123 Burundi 0.788 compare
- 124 Côte d'Ivoire 0.726 compare
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 labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa?
- Labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) in South Africa was 0.801 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.87 in 2021.
- What is the lowest labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.785 in 2004.
- How does South Africa rank for labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates)?
- South Africa ranks 121st out of 188 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour income distribution (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour income distribution (ILO modelled estimates) (Decile 1). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 22 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This indicator shows in percentage the share of total labour income that accrues to each decile. Labour income includes the compensation of employees and part of the income of the self-employed. Self-employed workers earn from both their work and capital ownership. Total compensation of employees refers to the remuneration, in cash or in kind, payable by an enterprise to an employee in return for work done by the latter during the accounting period. The labour income of self-employed is imputed on the basis of a statistical analysis of employees of similar characteristics. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.