Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa

South Africa: Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and was 70.9% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
70.9%
Change on year
down 8.5%
World rank
1st
of 37 countries
All-time high
77.6%
in 2020
All-time low
21.1%
in 2010
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa, 2005–2021

204060802005201320212005: 27.5 preT2010: 21.1 preT2014: 29.9 preT2016: 61.4 preT2018: 60.2 preT2019: 71.2 preT2020: 77.6 preT2021: 70.9 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa is 70.9%, measured in 2021.

The figure is down 8.5% on the previous year and up 235.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa peaked at 77.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 21.1%, in 2010.

South Africa ranks 1st of 37 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 27.5%
2010 21.1% -23.2%
2014 29.9% +41.5%
2016 61.4% +105.5%
2018 60.2% -2.0%
2019 71.2% +18.4%
2020 77.6% +8.9%
2021 70.9% -8.5%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 70.9% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 30.9%, 2.3× the median. (24 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 27.5% 27.5% 27.5% 1
2010s 48.8% 21.1% 71.2% 5
2020s 74.2% 70.9% 77.6% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 2 Thailand 60.6% compare
  2. 3 Poland 57.4% compare
  3. 4 Romania 53.0% 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 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa?
Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa was 70.9% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 77.6% in 2020.
What is the lowest adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 21.1% in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and?
South Africa ranks 1st out of 37 countries with data for 2021.
Is adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -all social protection and rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 235.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-3rd-quintile-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in 3rd quintile (%) -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