Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in South Africa

South Africa: Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) was 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017. ▲ Rising

Latest (2017)
113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices
Change on year
up 7.6%
World rank
47th
of 47 countries
All-time high
113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2017
All-time low
61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2008
Years of data
5
2008–2017

Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in South Africa, 2008–2017

02550751001252008201220172008: 61.7 international-$ in 2021 prices2010: 69.8 international-$ in 2021 prices2012: 92.5 international-$ in 2021 prices2015: 105.7 international-$ in 2021 prices2017: 113.8 international-$ in 2021 prices

Source: Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices for threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in 2017. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.6% on the previous year and up 84.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in South Africa peaked at 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017 and was at its lowest, 61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2008.

That places South Africa 47th out of 47 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices 61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices 61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices 1
2010s 95.45 international-$ in 2021 prices 69.85 international-$ in 2021 prices 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 44 Mali 148.06 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  2. 45 Colombia 138.3 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  3. 46 Peru 119.6 international-$ in 2021 prices compare

See the full ranking of 47 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in South Africa?
Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) in South Africa was 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017, according to Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 113.77 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017.
What is the lowest threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 61.73 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2008.
How does South Africa rank for threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax)?
South Africa ranks 47th out of 47 countries with data for 2017.
Is threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 84.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Threshold income per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile (after tax)
Unit
international-$ in 2021 prices
Source
Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
47 places, 1,030 data points, 1963–2024
Last refreshed

The level of income per month below which 10% of the population falls.