minwage.me

South Africa

Country or region

Global rank #52 of 77

Explore how minimum wage compares to Big Mac prices in South Africa, and how many burgers you can earn with 1 hour of work.

Minimum wage (gross)
ZAR 30.23
/ hour
Big Mac price
ZAR 54.90
Burgers per hour
0.55
You can buy about 0 burgers in 1 hour
Work time for 1 Big Mac
1h 48m

South Africa vs the world

How South Africa compares with other countries and regions.

How we calculate burgers per hour

Minimum wage / hour
ZAR 30.23
÷
Big Mac price
ZAR 54.90
=
Burgers per hour
0.55

Neighbouring ranks

  1. 50Honduras0.58
  2. 51Jordan0.56
  3. 52South Africa0.55
  4. 53Ecuador0.52
  5. 54Moldova0.52

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Minimum wage (gross)

Source: South African Government News Agency (SAnews.gov.za), Department of Employment and Labour · effective Mar 1, 2026

South African Government News Agency (SAnews.gov.za), Department of Employment and Labour

South Africa has a National Minimum Wage (NMW Act, 2018) published per ordinary hour. The general adult full-time rate of R30.23/hour (effective 1 March 2026, gazetted 3 Feb 2026, up from R28.79) is the tier covering the largest group of workers, including farm and domestic workers, which are now aligned to the general rate. Separate lower/different tiers exist: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants at R16.62/hour, and learnership allowances under Schedule 2 of the Skills Development Act. Excluded: SANDF, NIA, SASS members, and unpaid volunteers. Cross-checked with WageIndicator, Labour Guide SA, and SERR; all confirm R30.23/hour.

Big Mac price: The Economist · Jan 1, 2026

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