If you analyse GDP growth versus growth in wages in selective EU countries, Russia and the United States (and throw South Africa into the mix as well), it is only the United States and Cyprus where there’s any realistic correlation between 3rd quarter (2025) economic growth and growth in wages.

The salaries and benefits of municipal councillors are determined by the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 1998; and then (currently) specifically the regulations titled Determination of upper limits of salaries, wages and benefits of different members of municipal councillors (the September 2023 version). Download an Excel spreadsheet below to do a quick analysis of the salaries of municipal councilors in your municipality.

The South African government’s staff establishment consist of sixteen salary levels, or grades. The article contains an analysis of the wage bill of the South African public sector.