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Income inequality in South Africa: Evidence from individual-level administrative tax data

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  • Chandré Jacobs
  • Amina Ebrahim
  • Murray Leibbrandt
  • Jukka Pirttilä
  • Marlies Piek

Abstract

We use individual-level tax administrative data to estimate personal income inequality among the tax-compliant population in South Africa over the period 2011-21. Our results indicate that inequality of this population rose slightly over the period, with the Gini coefficient increasing from 0.64 to 0.66. The aggregate inequality metrics mask some notable changes in real incomes driven by relatively stronger real income growth at both the top and bottom ends of the distribution and very sluggish real income growth in the middle deciles.

Suggested Citation

  • Chandré Jacobs & Amina Ebrahim & Murray Leibbrandt & Jukka Pirttilä & Marlies Piek, 2024. "Income inequality in South Africa: Evidence from individual-level administrative tax data," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2024-55, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2024-55
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Martin Wittenberg, 2017. "Wages and Wage Inequality in South Africa 1994–2011: Part 2 – Inequality Measurement and Trends," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 85(2), pages 298-318, June.
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