Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa

South Africa: Augmented Human Development Index was 0.4821 in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
0.4821
World rank
62nd
of 162 countries
All-time high
0.4821
in 2020
All-time low
0.0772
in 1870
Years of data
24
1870–2020

Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa, 1870–2020

0.10.20.30.40.51870194520201870: 0.0771880: 0.0841890: 0.091900: 0.0941913: 0.1031925: 0.1171929: 0.1221933: 0.1271938: 0.1381950: 0.1521955: 0.1661960: 0.1721965: 0.1811970: 0.1931975: 0.1991980: 0.2061985: 0.2171990: 0.2511995: 0.3782000: 0.382005: 0.3772010: 0.4112015: 0.4672020: 0.482

Source: Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2022) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2020, augmented human development index in South Africa stood at 0.4821. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, augmented human development index in South Africa peaked at 0.4821 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.0772, in 1870.

South Africa ranks 62nd of 162 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa, 1870 to 2020.
Year Value Change
1870 0.0772
1880 0.0839 +8.6%
1890 0.0904 +7.7%
1900 0.0944 +4.5%
1913 0.1031 +9.1%
1925 0.1166 +13.1%
1929 0.1216 +4.3%
1933 0.1269 +4.4%
1938 0.1378 +8.5%
1950 0.1523 +10.6%
1955 0.166 +8.9%
1960 0.1724 +3.9%
1965 0.1808 +4.9%
1970 0.1928 +6.6%
1975 0.1994 +3.5%
1980 0.2059 +3.2%
1985 0.2171 +5.4%
1990 0.2511 +15.7%
1995 0.3776 +50.4%
2000 0.3798 +0.6%
2005 0.3773 -0.7%
2010 0.4109 +8.9%
2015 0.4675 +13.8%
2020 0.4821 +3.1%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 0.4821 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.4394, 1.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 0.4821 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.2455, 2.0× the median. (44 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Augmented Human Development Index 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.

YearChange FromTo
1995 +50.4% 0.2511 0.3776

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1870s 0.0772 0.0772 0.0772 1
1880s 0.0839 0.0839 0.0839 1
1890s 0.0904 0.0904 0.0904 1
1900s 0.0944 0.0944 0.0944 1
1910s 0.1031 0.1031 0.1031 1
1920s 0.1191 0.1166 0.1216 2
1930s 0.1323 0.1269 0.1378 2
1950s 0.1591 0.1523 0.166 2
1960s 0.1766 0.1724 0.1808 2
1970s 0.1961 0.1928 0.1994 2
1980s 0.2115 0.2059 0.2171 2
1990s 0.3143 0.2511 0.3776 2
2000s 0.3786 0.3773 0.3798 2
2010s 0.4392 0.4109 0.4675 2
2020s 0.4821 0.4821 0.4821 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 59 Belize 0.4929 compare
  2. 60 Jamaica 0.4879 compare
  3. 61 Suriname 0.4829 compare
  4. 63 Malaysia 0.4766 compare
  5. 64 Saint Lucia 0.4758 compare
  6. 65 Colombia 0.4736 compare

See the full ranking of 163 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is augmented human development index in South Africa?
Augmented human development index in South Africa was 0.4821 in 2020, according to Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2022) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest augmented human development index recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 0.4821 in 2020.
What is the lowest augmented human development index recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0772 in 1870.
How does South Africa rank for augmented human development index?
South Africa ranks 62nd out of 162 countries with data for 2020.
Is augmented human development index rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 17.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2022) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Augmented Human Development Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2022) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/augmented-human-development-index/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Augmented Human Development Index
Source
Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2022) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
163 places, 3,421 data points, 1870–2020
Last refreshed

The AHDI seeks to give a historical perspective on human development, in four dimensions: healthy life, knowledge, a decent standard of living, and civil and political freedom.