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 50.6% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
50.6%
Change on year
down 37.2%
World rank
18th
of 25 countries
All-time high
342.7%
in 2018
All-time low
37.6%
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

01002003002005201320212005: 47.92014: 108.82016: 37.62018: 342.72019: 582020: 80.52021: 50.6

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 50.6% for adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in 2021.

The figure is down 37.2% on the previous year and down 53.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social in South Africa peaked at 342.7% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 37.6%, in 2016.

South Africa ranks 18th of 25 countries on this measure, 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 in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 47.9%
2014 108.8% +127.1%
2016 37.6% -65.4%
2018 342.7% +811.7%
2019 58.0% -83.1%
2020 80.5% +38.7%
2021 50.6% -37.2%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 50.6% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 61.5%, 82% of the median. (16 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 47.9% 47.9% 47.9% 1
2010s 136.8% 37.6% 342.7% 4
2020s 65.5% 50.6% 80.5% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Mongolia 58.9% compare
  2. 16 Colombia 56.9% compare
  3. 17 Pakistan 51.3% compare
  4. 19 Kosovo 42.8% compare
  5. 19 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 42.8% compare
  6. 21 Peru 42.8% compare

See the full ranking of 25 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 50.6% 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 342.7% 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 37.6% in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - all social?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 25 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 53.5%. 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 extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social Insurance. 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 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/adequacy-of-benefits-in-extreme-poor-2-15-a-day-percent-all-social-insurance/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Adequacy of benefits in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - All Social Insurance
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
25 places, 221 data points, 2004–2022
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