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

Latest (2023)
35.8%
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
23rd
of 166 countries
All-time high
36.0%
in 2013
All-time low
34.9%
in 2020
Years of data
12
2012–2023

Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities in South Africa, 2012–2023

0102030402012201720232012: 35.9 %2013: 36 %2014: 35.3 %2015: 35.3 %2016: 35.9 %2017: 35.4 %2018: 35.5 %2019: 35.7 %2020: 34.9 %2021: 35.5 %2022: 36 %2023: 35.8 %

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 35.6% 35.3% 36.0% 8
2020s 35.5% 34.9% 36.0% 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 20 Liberia 36.1% compare
  2. 21 Senegal 35.8% compare
  3. 22 Sudan 35.8% compare
  4. 24 Guinea-Bissau 35.6% compare
  5. 25 Afghanistan 35.3% compare
  6. 26 Lesotho 35.1% compare

See the full ranking of 166 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

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

Indicator
Reduction in Human Development Index when adjusting for inequalities
Unit
%
Source
UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
166 places, 2,131 data points, 2010–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage difference between the IHDI value and the HDI value.