Gini index in South Africa
South Africa: Gini index was 54.1 in 2022. ▼ Falling
Gini index in South Africa, 1993–2022
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
Analysis
In 2022, gini index in South Africa stood at 54.1. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gini index in South Africa peaked at 65 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 54.1, in 2022.
South Africa ranks 3rd of 121 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 59.3 | 59.3 | 59.3 | 1 |
| 2000s | 61.77 | 57.8 | 65 | 3 |
| 2010s | 60.25 | 59.6 | 60.9 | 2 |
| 2020s | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More poverty & inequality data for South Africa
- Poverty headcount ratio at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) 59.6% (2022)
- Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) 30.2% (2022)
- Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) 5.1% (2022)
- Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) 17.4% (2022)
- Prosperity gap 5.7 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day (2022)
- Poverty gap at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) 28.4% (2022)
- Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line 33.8% (2022)
- Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) 10.5% (2022)
- Population living in slums 24.2% (2022)
- Income share held by second 20% 6.9% (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gini index in South Africa?
- Gini index in South Africa was 54.1 in 2022, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest gini index recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 65 in 2005.
- What is the lowest gini index recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 54.1 in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for gini index?
- South Africa ranks 3rd out of 121 countries with data for 2022.
- Is gini index rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Gini index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.