Adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa
South Africa: Adequacy of social insurance programs was 50.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa, 2005–2021
Source: ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total welfare of beneficiary households.
Analysis
In 2021, adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa stood at 50.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 13.5% on the previous year and up 13.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa peaked at 71.7% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 38.9%, in 2005.
That places South Africa 9th out of 34 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total welfare of beneficiary households | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 38.9% | — |
| 2014 | 44.2% | +13.6% |
| 2016 | 58.5% | +32.3% |
| 2018 | 54.2% | -7.4% |
| 2019 | 71.7% | +32.3% |
| 2020 | 58.2% | -18.9% |
| 2021 | 50.3% | -13.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 50.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 39.8%, 1.3× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 38.9% | 38.9% | 38.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 57.1% | 44.2% | 71.7% | 4 |
| 2020s | 54.2% | 50.3% | 58.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa?
- Adequacy of social insurance programs in South Africa was 50.3% in 2021, according to ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest adequacy of social insurance programs recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 71.7% in 2019.
- What is the lowest adequacy of social insurance programs recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.9% in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for adequacy of social insurance programs?
- South Africa ranks 9th out of 34 countries with data for 2021.
- Is adequacy of social insurance programs rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB), published as part of Adequacy of social insurance programs (% of total welfare of beneficiary households). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Adequacy of social insurance programs is measured by the total transfer amount received by the population participating in social insurance programs as a share of their total welfare. Welfare is defined as the total income or total expenditure of beneficiary households. Social insurance programs include old age contributory pensions (including survivors and disability) and social security and health insurance benefits (including occupational injury benefits, paid sick leave, maternity and other social insurance). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.