Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social was 73.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
73.7%
Change on year
down 3.6%
World rank
14th
of 37 countries
All-time high
298.3%
in 2018
All-time low
56.6%
in 2016
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

501001502002503002005201320212005: 111.6 preT2010: 86.5 preT2014: 136.6 preT2016: 56.6 preT2018: 298.3 preT2019: 76 preT2020: 76.5 preT2021: 73.7 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social in South Africa is 73.7%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 3.6% on the previous year and down 14.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social in South Africa peaked at 298.3% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 56.6%, in 2016.

South Africa ranks 14th of 37 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 111.6%
2010 86.5% -22.5%
2014 136.6% +57.9%
2016 56.6% -58.6%
2018 298.3% +427.3%
2019 76.0% -74.5%
2020 76.5% +0.7%
2021 73.7% -3.6%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 73.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 57.9%, 1.3× the median. (24 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 111.6% 111.6% 111.6% 1
2010s 130.8% 56.6% 298.3% 5
2020s 75.1% 73.7% 76.5% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 11 Turkey 76.8% compare
  2. 12 Kazakhstan 76.7% compare
  3. 13 Kyrgyzstan 76.4% compare
  4. 15 Chile 69.7% compare
  5. 16 Mongolia 64.2% compare
  6. 17 Brazil 61.1% compare

See the full ranking of 37 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social in South Africa?
Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social in South Africa was 73.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 298.3% in 2018.
What is the lowest adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 56.6% in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social?
South Africa ranks 14th out of 37 countries with data for 2021.
Is adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 14.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-1st-quintile-poorest-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
37 places, 372 data points, 2002–2023
Last refreshed

Total transfer amount received by all beneficiaries in a population group as a share of the total welfare of beneficiaries in that group