Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa

South Africa: Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile was 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022. ▲ Rising

Latest (2022)
70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices
World rank
97th
of 120 countries
All-time high
70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2022
All-time low
29.8 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2000
Years of data
7
1993–2022

Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa, 1993–2022

0204060801993200720221993: 33.5 international-$ in 2021 prices2000: 29.8 international-$ in 2021 prices2005: 40.3 international-$ in 2021 prices2008: 42.2 international-$ in 2021 prices2010: 52 international-$ in 2021 prices2014: 51.1 international-$ in 2021 prices2022: 70 international-$ in 2021 prices

Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.

Analysis

In 2022, threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa stood at 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.

The figure is up 34.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa peaked at 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022 and was at its lowest, 29.8 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2000.

That places South Africa 97th out of 120 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 33.54 international-$ in 2021 prices 33.54 international-$ in 2021 prices 33.54 international-$ in 2021 prices 1
2000s 37.41 international-$ in 2021 prices 29.8 international-$ in 2021 prices 42.16 international-$ in 2021 prices 3
2010s 51.51 international-$ in 2021 prices 51.06 international-$ in 2021 prices 51.97 international-$ in 2021 prices 2
2020s 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 94 Syria 74.23 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  2. 95 Senegal 72.84 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  3. 96 Cote d'Ivoire 71.17 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  4. 98 Pakistan 69.82 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  5. 99 Gambia 66.36 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
  6. 100 Honduras 64.18 international-$ in 2021 prices compare

See the full ranking of 120 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa?
Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in South Africa was 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 70.05 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022.
What is the lowest threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 29.8 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile?
South Africa ranks 97th out of 120 countries with data for 2022.
Is threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 34.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile
Unit
international-$ in 2021 prices
Source
World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
120 places, 2,148 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed

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