Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social was 42.6% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
42.6%
Change on year
down 20.6%
World rank
2nd
of 37 countries
All-time high
69.5%
in 2019
All-time low
5.6%
in 2010
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

02040602005201320212005: 21.3 preT2010: 5.6 preT2014: 18.3 preT2016: 55.7 preT2018: 24.8 preT2019: 69.5 preT2020: 53.6 preT2021: 42.6 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 42.6% for adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in 2021.

That represents a change of down 20.6% on the previous year and up 661.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa peaked at 69.5% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 5.6%, in 2010.

That places South Africa 2nd out of 37 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 21.3%
2010 5.6% -73.8%
2014 18.3% +226.8%
2016 55.7% +204.6%
2018 24.8% -55.4%
2019 69.5% +179.9%
2020 53.6% -22.8%
2021 42.6% -20.6%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 42.6% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 2.0× the median. (24 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 21.3% 21.3% 21.3% 1
2010s 34.8% 5.6% 69.5% 5
2020s 48.1% 42.6% 53.6% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Thailand 45.2% compare
  2. 3 Costa Rica 37.5% compare
  3. 4 Brazil 35.0% compare
  4. 5 Kazakhstan 34.6% 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 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa?
Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa was 42.6% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 69.5% in 2019.
What is the lowest adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 5.6% in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social?
South Africa ranks 2nd out of 37 countries with data for 2021.
Is adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 661.5%. 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 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-pret/south-africa/

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<a href="https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-pret/south-africa/">Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -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