Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social was 73.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
73.7%
Change on year
down 6.9%
World rank
22nd
of 34 countries
All-time high
295.0%
in 2018
All-time low
53.8%
in 2016
Years of data
7
2005–2021

Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

501001502002503002005201320212005: 127.9 preT2014: 152.7 preT2016: 53.8 preT2018: 295 preT2019: 70.9 preT2020: 79.2 preT2021: 73.7 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in South Africa is 73.7%, measured in 2021.

The figure is down 6.9% on the previous year and down 51.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in South Africa peaked at 295.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 53.8%, in 2016.

That places South Africa 22nd out of 34 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social Insurance (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 127.9%
2014 152.7% +19.4%
2016 53.8% -64.8%
2018 295.0% +448.2%
2019 70.9% -76.0%
2020 79.2% +11.6%
2021 73.7% -6.9%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 73.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 111.3%, 66% of the median. (22 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 127.9% 127.9% 127.9% 1
2010s 143.1% 53.8% 295.0% 4
2020s 76.5% 73.7% 79.2% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 19 Pakistan 94.6% compare
  2. 20 Armenia 86.1% compare
  3. 21 Chile 80.3% compare
  4. 23 Dominican Republic 70.9% compare
  5. 24 Uruguay 63.3% compare
  6. 25 Paraguay 61.7% compare

See the full ranking of 34 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in South Africa?
Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in South Africa was 73.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 295.0% in 2018.
What is the lowest adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 53.8% in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social?
South Africa ranks 22nd out of 34 countries with data for 2021.
Is adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 51.7%. 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 extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social Insurance (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-extreme-poor-2-15-a-day-percent-all-social-insurance-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social Insurance (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
34 places, 335 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