Gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa
South Africa: Gini coefficient (after tax) was 0.6163 in 2017. ▼ Falling
Gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa, 2008–2017
Source: Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2017, gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa stood at 0.6163. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 6.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa peaked at 0.6644 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.6163, in 2017.
That places South Africa 1st out of 48 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.6575 | 0.6575 | 0.6575 | 1 |
| 2010s | 0.6313 | 0.6163 | 0.6644 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More poverty & inequality data for South Africa
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 1 surveys (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 2.22 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 4,562 kg per hectare (2024)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 28.1% (2022)
- Gender Inequality Index 0.388 (2023)
- Lifespan inequality: Gini coefficient in women 0.1656 (2023)
- Lifespan inequality: Gini coefficient by sex 0.1656 (2023)
- Lifespan inequality: Gini coefficient in men 0.192 (2023)
- Share of government consumption in GDP vs. share of population living in extreme poverty 17.8% (2023)
- Income inequality: Atkinson index 0.5993 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa?
- Gini coefficient (after tax) in South Africa was 0.6163 in 2017, according to Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest gini coefficient (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.6644 in 2010.
- What is the lowest gini coefficient (after tax) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6163 in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for gini coefficient (after tax)?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 48 countries with data for 2017.
- Is gini coefficient (after tax) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Gini coefficient (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The Gini coefficient measures inequality on a scale from 0 to 1. Higher values indicate higher inequality. Inequality is measured here in terms of income after taxes and benefits.