Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa
South Africa: Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities was 35.8% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa, 2012–2023
Source: UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa is 35.8%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 0.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa peaked at 36.0% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 34.9%, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 23rd of 166 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 35.9% | — |
| 2013 | 36.0% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 35.3% | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 35.3% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 35.9% | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 35.4% | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 35.5% | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 35.7% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 34.9% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 35.5% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 36.0% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 35.8% | -0.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 35.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 16.7%, 2.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 35.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35.6%, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 35.6% | 35.3% | 36.0% | 8 |
| 2020s | 35.5% | 34.9% | 36.0% | 4 |
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 reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa?
- Reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa was 35.8% in 2023, according to UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 36.0% in 2013.
- What is the lowest reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.9% in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is reduction in human development index when adjusting for inequalities rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage difference between the IHDI value and the HDI value.