Pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa

South Africa: Pay compression ratio in private sector was 17.5% in 2019. ▲ Rising

Latest (2019)
17.5%
Change on year
up 10.4%
World rank
2nd
of 60 countries
All-time high
18.8%
in 2013
All-time low
10.7%
in 2003
Years of data
10
2000–2019

Pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa, 2000–2019

051015202000200920192000: 12.5 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2001: 11.7 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2003: 10.7 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2010: 13 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2012: 13.9 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2013: 18.8 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2015: 17.3 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2016: 15 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2018: 15.8 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners2019: 17.5 ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners

Source: World Bank. Measured in ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners.

Analysis

In 2019, pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa stood at 17.5%.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.4% on the previous year and up 34.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa peaked at 18.8% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 10.7%, in 2003.

That places South Africa 2nd out of 60 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 10 years of available data.

Pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Pay compression ratio in private sector (ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners) in South Africa, 2000 to 2019.
Year ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners Change
2000 12.5%
2001 11.7% -6.7%
2003 10.7% -7.9%
2010 13.0% +21.2%
2012 13.9% +6.7%
2013 18.8% +35.0%
2015 17.3% -7.6%
2016 15.0% -13.4%
2018 15.8% +5.6%
2019 17.5% +10.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 11.6% 10.7% 12.5% 3
2010s 15.9% 13.0% 18.8% 7

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Namibia 25.0% compare
  2. 3 Australia 12.0% compare
  3. 4 Georgia 10.2% compare
  4. 5 Ethiopia 10.0% compare
  5. 5 Honduras 10.0% compare
  6. 5 Zambia 10.0% compare

See the full ranking of 60 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa?
Pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa was 17.5% in 2019, according to the World Bank.
What is the highest pay compression ratio in private sector recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 18.8% in 2013.
What is the lowest pay compression ratio in private sector recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 10.7% in 2003.
How does South Africa rank for pay compression ratio in private sector?
South Africa ranks 2nd out of 60 countries with data for 2019.
Is pay compression ratio in private sector rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 34.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from the World Bank, published as part of Pay compression ratio in private sector (ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Pay compression ratio in private sector in South Africa. Statizoid. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/pay-compression-ratio-in-private-sector-ratio-of-90th-10th-percentile-earners/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Pay compression ratio in private sector (ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners)
Unit
ratio of 90th/10th percentile earners
Source
World Bank
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
60 places, 741 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed