73% of SA's adult population earn below R6 000 per month, Research reveals.

Loading player...
GUEST – Professor Carel van Aardt - Bureau of Market Research’s research director

Income inequality in South Africa is again demonstrated by the findings of a report on personal income estimates that found that 73.7% of the adult population earns below R73 351 per year (less than about R6 110 per month), while only 3.3% earns more than R625 992 per year (about R52 170 per month).

The Household Wealth Research Division of the Bureau of Market Research’s report on personal income estimates for South Africa from 2018 to 2022 shows a clear picture of income inequality with low income earners accounting for 10% of cash flow income, while the high-income earners earn 44.8%, while 23% of the adult population relies mainly on grants as cash flow income source. The most alarming finding is that 32.1% of the adult (older than 15) population does not receive any form of cash flow income, instead depending on in-kind transfers and support from friends and relatives.

Women are also getting the short end of the stick with income inequality. The report shows that although there is an almost equal gender population distribution between females and males, females remain at the lower end in relation to the cash flow income earnings. It is estimated that 47.3% of the adult population are male but earn 58.5% of the cash flow income in the country.
15 Aug 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SANEDI on Key AEF Takeaways critical for South Africa's Energy Future

Prof. Sampson Mamphweli, the Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), joins us for his view on South Africa's future. He unpacks policy and project-based initiatives that came to the fore on the agenda at this week's Africa Energy Forum.
18 Jun 3PM 11 min

Africa’s Power Market Is Learning to Share: AEF 2026 Highlights

From Uganda’s first independent transmission project to South Africa’s R440bn grid expansion plan, AEF 2026 showcased a continent shifting toward private‑sector participation and distributed energy. Absa CIB's Nikhil Kasiram breaks down the biggest trends shaping Africa’s power future.
18 Jun 3PM 12 min

Pivot Point: BrightRock at 15 and CEO Stevens on Leading the Next Chapter

BrightRock celebrates 15 years of disrupting the life insurance industry with its needs‑matched model. CEO Suzanne Stevens reflects on her leadership journey, the company’s growth to over 12% market share, and the future of life insurance in a rapidly changing consumer landscape.
18 Jun 3PM 18 min