Is law high in demand in South Africa?

Asked by: Bennie Collins  |  Last update: March 13, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (5 votes)

Yes, lawyers are in demand in South Africa, especially in corporate, criminal, human rights, environmental, and intellectual property law, due to economic, social, and legal developments.

Is law in demand in South Africa?

In high demand

The rigour of a Law school education, and the range of skills in which excellence is required for graduation, ensures that law graduates are sought after across a range of endeavours. In other words, Law graduates enjoy excellent career prospects.

Is it worth it to become a lawyer in South Africa?

Legal career options in South Africa

Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. Attorneys brief advocates if the matter is referred to court and is not able to be settled on the papers.

What is the highest demand in South Africa?

The top careers in South Africa for 2024 include Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity, Healthcare and Medical Services, Renewable Energy and Environmental Sciences, Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech), Education and E-Learning, Engineering and Construction, Marketing and Digital Marketing, and Logistics ...

Does law pay well in South Africa?

Mid-level lawyers, such as associates, earn between R650,000 to R850,000 per year, while senior associates earn R850,000 to R1,400,000 annually.

TOP 5 JOBS IN DEMAND IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2024 | Rorisang Mabogoane | South African YouTuber

16 related questions found

What is the highest paying job in South Africa?

Neurosurgeon — Annual Salary Range: R3 million to R5 million

Neurosurgeons are medical professionals who perform surgery on the brain, spine, and nervous system.

What type of law is most in demand?

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law.

What careers are no longer in demand in South Africa?

Knowing which fields are shrinking is essential if you are planning your career. According to News 2024, some careers no longer in demand in South Africa include bank tellers, telemarketers, insurance brokers, dispatch managers, and travel consultants.

What industry is booming in South Africa?

South Africa's technology sector has been steadily growing, presenting major opportunities for SMEs in software development and IT services. With the increased adoption of digital solutions across industries, there's a strong demand for innovative software applications, cybersecurity services, and IT consulting.

What is the top 1 income in South Africa?

Going on monthly earnings, previous data compiled by Knight Frank showed that a 1% earner in South Africa is anyone grossing over $109,000 a year, or just over R2 million. This equates to R160,000 a month.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in South Africa?

See 'Becoming a legal practitioner'. Further requirements with regard to admission are provided in the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. A person must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and be otherwise fit and proper in the opinion of the court to be admitted as a legal practitioner.

Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?

Current Demand for Lawyers in South Africa

The demand for lawyers in South Africa is reflected in various statistics. As of January 2022, there were approximately 29,981 practising attorneys and 5,483 candidate attorneys in South Africa. However, this demand can be shaped by societal and economic factors.

What law field makes the most money?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.

Which law is the greatest in South Africa?

The Constitution is the supreme law

South Africa is a constitutional democracy. This means the Constitution is the highest law of the land. Parliament cannot pass a law which goes against the Constitution.

Which country is best to study law in Africa?

#1 in Africa: University of Cape Town, South Africa

The University of Cape Town Faculty of Law is a leader in African legal education.

What is the highest paying industry in South Africa?

The highest-paying industries in South Africa

Finance - investment bankers, financial analysts, and portfolio managers are high earners. This sector has a massive impact on the economy. Financial services attract both local and international investments which helps boost the country's financial stability and growth.

Which African country is booming?

According to 2024 estimates by the African Development Bank Group, African countries are projected to account for more than half of the world fastest growing economies; in particular, Niger, Senegal, Libya and Rwanda are expected to grow at the fastest rate of over 7% per year.

Which industry is lacking in South Africa?

Accountants, Tax Professionals, Software Developers, Computer Network Engineers and Systems Analysts are all in short supply. Bridging the skills gap is imperative for South Africa's development and a reduction in the unemployment rate is a national priority.

What is the most wanted career in South Africa?

Below is a list of occupations, jobs and careers in demand in South Africa, especially in the next 5 years in South Africa:
  1. Software Engineer. ...
  2. Network Administrator. ...
  3. Data Scientist. ...
  4. Health and Safety Manager. ...
  5. Accountants. ...
  6. Agricultural Engineer. ...
  7. Lawyer. ...
  8. Business Consultant.

Why is it so hard to find a job in South Africa?

Job seekers face fierce competition due to the large pool of unemployed individuals, especially among the country's young people. In fact, youth unemployment in South Africa is particularly concerning, with rates around 45.5% in the third quarter of 2024.

What is the most stressful job in South Africa?

Pilots were found to have the most stressful jobs in South Africa as a result of the high degree of personal risk the job poses to themselves and others. The taxing physical and mental demands of the role, on top of working long and arduous hours, also added to its high high-stress stress rating.

Which field of law pays the most in South Africa?

The highest paying fields of law in South Africa typically include corporate law, intellectual property law, and mergers and acquisitions. These areas often involve complex legal issues and high-value transactions, contributing to higher salaries.

Which country pays lawyers the most?

The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.

What is the easiest field of law?

The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning.