Considering a career with the UN or another international organization in South Africa? This profile covers cost of living and purchasing power, the ICSC hardship classification and human development — so you know what living there really means. For pay by grade, see the Salary & Benefits tab.
This is the World Bank price-level index: a whole-economy, national average of consumer prices benchmarked against the United States as a whole (US = 100), from the International Comparison Program. It is a country-level figure — it isn't tied to a specific city or measured against New York. At about 43, everyday prices in South Africa are roughly 43% of US levels, so local-currency spending goes about 2.3× as far. (World Bank, 2026.)
The UNDP Human Development Index combines health, education and income. South Africa is in the high band — a useful signal of living conditions, services and schooling for staff and accompanying family. UNDP data
See what each grade earns in Pretoria — post adjustment, hardship and danger pay.
Salary & Benefits by grade