South Africa country overview

South Africa

Information about the inhabitants of in South Africa, their income and pensions, cost of goods and services in South Africa. Analytical data on the labor market and real estate in South Africa.

The South Africa page on BDEEX brings together key facts, basic indicators, and quick reference information in one place.

Use this overview as a starting point, then move to cities and related sections to compare South Africa in more detail.

About this data

This overview combines reference estimates for population, salaries, prices, pensions, phone codes, postal indexes and schools. Use it as a starting point, then open the linked sections for deeper country and city details.

South Africa country overview FAQ

What is the population of South Africa?

The population of South Africa is about 54 956 900 people.

What is the average salary in South Africa?

The average salary in South Africa is about $1 630.

What is the average pension in South Africa?

The average pension in South Africa is about $650.

What is the phone code for South Africa?

The phone code for South Africa is +27.

What is the postal index for South Africa?

The main postal index for South Africa is 1447.

How many schools are in South Africa?

The estimated number of schools in South Africa is 11 216.

Inhabitants in South Africa

54 956 900

people live in South Africa

Total for 1 May 2026 in South Africa 54 956 900 inhabitants, among them 18 547 954 men and 36 408 946 women. Including minors. 4 286 638 people, able-bodied population 31 875 002 people, and pensioners 18 795 260 people. Higher education in South Africa have about 12 090 518 people, secondary vocational near 23 631 467, but only school 19 234 915 people.

Income Information for Residents in South Africa

$1 630

average salary in South Africa

Income of residents of in South Africa in various fields of activity: in the education system - $1 420, in the field of information technology - $2 160, in design - $1 670, in marketing - $1 140, in accounting and finance - $1 710, for administrative personnel - $1 300, in law - $2 610, in medicine - $1 580, in public catering and restaurants - $1 220, in trade - $1 280, in the beauty industry - $1 410, in production - $1 430, in transport and logistics - $1 170, in construction and housing and communal - $1 380, in law enforcement agencies - $1 960, in agriculture - $1 230, in work without a profession - $940, as well as other income data in South Africa.

Labor Market in South Africa

977 958

number of vacancies in South Africa

Number of jobs in South Africa in various fields of activity: in the education system - 24346, in the field of information technology - 92987, in design - 25500, in marketing - 42262, in accounting and finance - 71334, for administrative personnel - 77489, in law - 22532, in medicine - 97054, in public catering and restaurants - 31435, in trade - 167289, in the beauty industry - 17916, in production - 73642, in transport and logistics - 95460, in construction and housing and communal - 68751, in law enforcement agencies - 14619, in agriculture - 7804, in work without a profession - 47538, as well as other labor market data in South Africa.

Cost of goods and services in South Africa

$120

Average utility bill in South Africa

The cost of basic products and services in South Africa. The cost of dairy products (milk – $1.3, cottage cheese - $1.19), meat products and eggs (chicken - $5.37 per kilogram, a dozen eggs - $1.5), pack of pasta - $1.02, as well as prices for other products in South Africa.

Cost of living in South Africa

Estimated cost of living in South Africa: rent, food, transport, utilities and average salary comparison.

Real Estate Market in South Africa

$2 930

Cost of 1 square meter of housing in South Africa

Number of apartments offered in South Africa - 36821. The cost of one square meter of a private house in South Africa - $2 500, number of offers of private houses on the market in South Africa - 19235. The cost of renting a one-room apartment is about $340.

Phone codes in South Africa

+27

International phone code for South Africa: +27.

Phone code and city codes: South Africa.

Indexes in South Africa

1447

Main index

Postal indexes of cities in South Africa.

Schools in South Africa

11 216

Schools in South Africa

Schools in South Africa and by cities.

Pension provision in South Africa

$650

Average pension in South Africa

Average amount of pension provision in South Africa is $650. Regular pension upon reaching retirement age in South Africa - $780, disability pension - $620, pension for the loss of the main breadwinner of the family is $420, and the minimum social pension - $590.