Palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa
South Africa: Palma ratio (before tax) was 18.12 in 2014. ▲ Rising
Palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa, 1993–2014
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2014, palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa stood at 18.12. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 111.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa peaked at 18.12 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 4.95, in 1993.
South Africa ranks 2nd of 113 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 4.95 | — |
| 2000 | 8.07 | +63.1% |
| 2005 | 8.58 | +6.4% |
| 2008 | 10.41 | +21.3% |
| 2010 | 11.93 | +14.6% |
| 2014 | 18.12 | +51.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 18.12 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.27, 3.4× the median. (31 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 18.12 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.07, 3.6× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4.95 | 4.95 | 4.95 | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.02 | 8.07 | 10.41 | 3 |
| 2010s | 15.02 | 11.93 | 18.12 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in South Africa was 18.12 in 2014, according to World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.12 in 2014.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.95 in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 113 countries with data for 2014.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 111.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Palma ratio (before tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The Palma ratio is a measure of inequality that divides the share received by the richest 10% by the share of the poorest 40%. Higher values indicate higher inequality. Inequality is measured here in terms of income before taxes and benefits.