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

South Africa: Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International was 20.3% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
20.3%
Change on year
down 24.5%
World rank
27th
of 27 countries
All-time high
29.2%
in 2016
All-time low
12.7%
in 2018
Years of data
5
2016–2021

Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International in South Africa, 2016–2021

01020302016201820212016: 29.2 preT2018: 12.7 preT2019: 25.7 preT2020: 26.9 preT2021: 20.3 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international in South Africa is 20.3%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 24.5% on the previous year and down 30.3% over ten years.

South Africa ranks 27th of 27 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International Private Transfers (preT) in South Africa, 2016 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2016 29.2%
2018 12.7% -56.7%
2019 25.7% +102.9%
2020 26.9% +4.8%
2021 20.3% -24.5%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 20.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 45% of the median. (17 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 22.5% 12.7% 29.2% 3
2020s 23.6% 20.3% 26.9% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 24 Viet Nam 31.2% compare
  2. 25 Armenia 28.5% compare
  3. 26 Serbia 28.0% compare

See the full ranking of 27 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international in South Africa?
Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international in South Africa was 20.3% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 29.2% in 2016.
What is the lowest benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 12.7% in 2018.
How does South Africa rank for benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international?
South Africa ranks 27th out of 27 countries with data for 2021.
Is benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - international rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 30.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International Private Transfers (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/benefits-incidence-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-international-private-transfers-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Benefits incidence in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - International Private Transfers (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
27 places, 266 data points, 2003–2022
Last refreshed

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