Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social was 63.8% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
63.8%
Change on year
down 10.3%
World rank
2nd
of 37 countries
All-time high
71.1%
in 2020
All-time low
6.9%
in 2010
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060802005201320212005: 22.2 preT2010: 6.9 preT2014: 23.2 preT2016: 65.5 preT2018: 27.5 preT2019: 67 preT2020: 71.1 preT2021: 63.8 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 63.8% for benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in 2021.

The figure is down 10.3% on the previous year and up 821.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa peaked at 71.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6.9%, in 2010.

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

Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 22.2%
2010 6.9% -68.8%
2014 23.2% +234.6%
2016 65.5% +182.9%
2018 27.5% -58.0%
2019 67.0% +143.7%
2020 71.1% +6.2%
2021 63.8% -10.3%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 63.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 24.3%, 2.6× the median. (24 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 22.2% 22.2% 22.2% 1
2010s 38.0% 6.9% 67.0% 5
2020s 67.4% 63.8% 71.1% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Colombia 68.4% compare
  2. 3 Honduras 56.0% compare
  3. 4 Ecuador 52.0% compare
  4. 5 Cote d'Ivoire 51.4% 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 benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa?
Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social in South Africa was 63.8% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 71.1% in 2020.
What is the lowest benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 6.9% in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social?
South Africa ranks 2nd out of 37 countries with data for 2021.
Is benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 821.8%. 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 Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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

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

About this data

Indicator
Benefits incidence 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

Percentage of benefits going to the richestquintile relative to the total benefits going to the population