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 (2021) – 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 (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Augmented Human Development Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa

Name: Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa
Creator: Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

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

1870–2020

Augmented Human Development Index in South Africa, 1870–2020

Source: Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – 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.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	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

59 Belize 0.4929 compare
60 Jamaica 0.4879 compare
61 Suriname 0.4829 compare
63 Malaysia 0.4766 compare
64 Saint Lucia 0.4758 compare
65 Colombia 0.4736 compare

See the full ranking of 163 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

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 (2021) – 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 (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Augmented Human Development Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Augmented Human Development Index
Source: Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – 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: 07 August 2026

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.