South Africa: Gini inequality index

The latest value from 2022 is 54.1 index points, a decline from 59.6 index points in 2014. In comparison, the world average is 35.40 index points, based on data from 72 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1993 to 2022 is 59.89 index points. The minimum value, 54.1 index points, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 65 index points was recorded in 2005. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

Definition: 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.