Share

Whites still earning three times more than blacks in SA

Whites in South Africa earned three times more than blacks on average, two decades after the demise of apartheid, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday.

In a report touching on the highly sensitive issue of inequality, research found that the wage gap between South Africa's groups increased between 2011 and 2015.

It said the average monthly earning among blacks - who account for 80% of the population - was R6 899, while the figure was R24 646 for whites.

Income earnings in South Africa remained "heavily racialised," the statistics authority said.

It added that women earned roughly 30% less on average than males.

Africa's most industrialised nation has struggled to bridge the gap between racial and gender groups since the fall of apartheid in 1994.

For decades, the apartheid system legally divided South Africans into groups of whites, blacks, Indians and "coloureds," a term designating people of mixed race.

The report did not compare wage inequality between 2015 and today.

The issue is deeply controversial, touching on issues such as inherited capital and access to quality education.

South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world, despite interventions that include a new national minimum wage bill which came into effect in January.

The new report was compiled by Statistics SA, the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit and the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD).

"Black Africans are generally more vulnerable to labour markets and unemployment is high among that population group," Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke told local radio station 702 after he released the report.

Black Africans make up the bulk of the country's jobless at over 46% with just under 10% of whites facing unemployment.

The report, which also studied poverty trends, concluded that households headed by blacks and "coloureds" were "chronically" poor.

Blacks also had the lowest levels of access to the internet and health insurance coverage.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.07
-0.9%
Rand - Pound
24.07
-0.7%
Rand - Euro
20.56
-0.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.37
-0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.8%
Platinum
899.20
+0.3%
Palladium
999.25
-0.3%
Gold
2,210.66
+0.7%
Silver
24.56
-0.4%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,080
+0.6%
All Share
74,278
+0.5%
Resource 10
56,967
+2.4%
Industrial 25
103,572
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,456
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders