New global research has placed South Africa among the top African countries for sick leave protection.
According to Moorepay, which reviewed statutory sick pay across 113 countries, South African workers receive R1 863.29 for a week of mandatory sick leave.
When adjusted for the cost of living, it equals Intl$251.29 (international dollars), ranking South Africa second in Africa, behind Egypt.
Who has the best sick leave pay?
The study used international dollars to compare how far sick leave pay goes in real terms, making it easier to understand how much support sick pay actually provides once local living costs are factored in. Based on this measure, the top five countries in Africa are:
1. Egypt – Intl$354.35
2. South Africa – Intl$251.29
3. Morocco – Intl$101.38
4. Kenya – Intl$99.07
5. Algeria – Intl$81.62
At the lower end, Tunisia offers no pay for the first five days of illness, matching the United States and South Korea.
Other countries with very low support include the DRC (Intl$2.21), Burundi (Intl$7.47) and Madagascar (Intl$27.51). Seven of the ten worst-paying countries in the world are in Africa.
Globally, South Africa sits below the worldwide average of Intl$366.67 but still outperforms several wealthier nations.
The United Kingdom, for example, provides £118.75 for a week of illness, worth just Intl$69.92 after adjusting for the cost of living. This places the UK 95th overall.
The world’s best sick leave pay system, according to the research, is Qatar, where workers receive two weeks of full pay worth £735.67 (Intl$1 644.69), followed by four weeks at half pay.
For South African employees, the first week of sick pay offers a meaningful buffer, especially compared with most countries on the continent. The international-dollar measure also shows that South Africa’s nominal R1 863.29 stretches further locally than it would in many other parts of the world.
