Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa
South Africa: Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ was 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022. ▲ Rising
Latest (2022)
6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices
World rank
89th
of 120 countries
All-time high
6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2022
All-time low
3.19 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2000
Years of data
7
1993–2022
Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa, 1993–2022
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
The most recent figure for median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa is 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 24.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa peaked at 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022 and was at its lowest, 3.19 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 89th of 120 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3.51 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2000 | 3.19 international-$ in 2021 prices | -9.2% |
| 2005 | 3.74 international-$ in 2021 prices | +17.3% |
| 2008 | 4.19 international-$ in 2021 prices | +12.2% |
| 2010 | 5.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | +25.5% |
| 2014 | 5.2 international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices | +26.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 12.84 international-$ in 2021 prices, 51% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.5 international-$ in 2021 prices, 1.9× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.51 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.51 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.51 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.7 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.19 international-$ in 2021 prices | 4.19 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3 |
| 2010s | 5.23 international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.2 international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | 2 |
| 2020s | 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 86 Egypt 7.61 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 87 Kyrgyzstan 6.86 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 88 Indonesia 6.66 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 90 Bangladesh 6.17 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 91 Laos 6.17 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 92 Mauritania 6.06 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa?
- Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ in South Africa was 6.56 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 median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.56 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022.
- What is the lowest median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.19 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$?
- South Africa ranks 89th out of 120 countries with data for 2022.
- Is median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.7%. 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 Median income: 2021 vs. 2017 international-$. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Value of income or consumption per day below which 50% of the population live.