Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa

South Africa: Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and was 60.9% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
60.9%
Change on year
up 4.1%
World rank
3rd
of 37 countries
All-time high
70.1%
in 2019
All-time low
15.8%
in 2010
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa, 2005–2021

204060802005201320212005: 26.82010: 15.82014: 23.22016: 54.72018: 62.32019: 70.12020: 58.52021: 60.9

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa is 60.9%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of up 4.1% on the previous year and up 284.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa peaked at 70.1% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 15.8%, in 2010.

South Africa ranks 3rd of 37 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and Labor in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 26.8%
2010 15.8% -40.9%
2014 23.2% +46.6%
2016 54.7% +135.2%
2018 62.3% +14.0%
2019 70.1% +12.5%
2020 58.5% -16.6%
2021 60.9% +4.1%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 60.9% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 32.7%, 1.9× the median. (24 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 26.8% 26.8% 26.8% 1
2010s 45.2% 15.8% 70.1% 5
2020s 59.7% 58.5% 60.9% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Thailand 83.5% compare
  2. 2 Poland 65.0% compare
  3. 4 Romania 58.7% compare
  4. 5 Belarus 52.9% compare
  5. 6 Serbia 52.1% 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 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa?
Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and in South Africa was 60.9% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 70.1% in 2019.
What is the lowest adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 15.8% in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 37 countries with data for 2021.
Is adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -all social protection and rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 284.5%. 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 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and Labor. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Adequacy of benefits in 4th 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-4th-quintile-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in 4th quintile (%) -All Social Protection and Labor
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