Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban was 94.1% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
94.1%
Change on year
up 2.1%
World rank
4th
of 39 countries
All-time high
95.0%
in 2018
All-time low
73.4%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060801002005201320212005: 73.42010: 77.52014: 93.22016: 932018: 952019: 94.92020: 92.12021: 94.1

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 94.1% for coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in 2021.

That represents a change of up 2.1% on the previous year and up 21.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa peaked at 95.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 73.4%, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 4th of 39 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 73.4%
2010 77.5% +5.7%
2014 93.2% +20.1%
2016 93.0% -0.2%
2018 95.0% +2.2%
2019 94.9% -0.2%
2020 92.1% -2.9%
2021 94.1% +2.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 73.4% 73.4% 73.4% 1
2010s 90.7% 77.5% 95.0% 5
2020s 93.1% 92.1% 94.1% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Mongolia 99.1% compare
  2. 2 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 98.9% compare
  3. 3 Thailand 94.4% compare
  4. 5 El Salvador 93.0% compare
  5. 6 Chile 92.8% compare
  6. 7 Peru 92.4% compare

See the full ranking of 39 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa?
Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa was 94.1% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 95.0% in 2018.
What is the lowest coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 73.4% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban?
South Africa ranks 4th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - all social assistance -urban rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 21.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-1st-quintile-poorest-percent-all-social-assistance-urban/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 1st quintile (poorest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
39 places, 390 data points, 2002–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage of population participating in Social Assistance programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)