SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa
South Africa: SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees was 20 in 2019. ◆ Volatile
SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa, 2000–2019
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa is 20, measured in 2019.
That represents a change of up 5.3% on the previous year and down 37.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa peaked at 50.08 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 12.83, in 2000.
That places South Africa 50th out of 68 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.
SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.83 | — |
| 2001 | 13.21 | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 13.01 | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 13.83 | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 14.36 | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 15.86 | +10.4% |
| 2006 | 18.2 | +14.8% |
| 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 | 44.39 | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 50.08 | +12.8% |
| 2018 | 19 | -62.1% |
| 2019 | 20 | +5.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 20 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 94.09, 21% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 20 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 208.39, 10% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | -62.1% | 50.08 | 19 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.23 | 12.83 | 20.56 | 8 |
| 2010s | 35.79 | 19 | 50.08 | 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 sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa?
- Sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees in South Africa was 20 in 2019, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 50.08 in 2015.
- What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.83 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for sdg indicator 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees?
- South Africa ranks 50th out of 68 countries with data for 2019.
- Is sdg indicator 8.5.1: 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 SDG indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Data may differ from nationally reported figures and the Global SDG Indicators Database due to differences in sources and/or reference years. This indicator presents data by sex on employees' average hourly earnings. The concept of earnings, as applied in wage statistics, relates to 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 also disaggregated by occupation. Statistics on average hourly earnings by sex are the basis for the calculation of the gender pay gap. 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 Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.