Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance was 88.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
88.7%
Change on year
down 2.5%
World rank
5th
of 39 countries
All-time high
92.3%
in 2019
All-time low
58.9%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060801002005201320212005: 58.9 preT2010: 62.9 preT2014: 85.4 preT2016: 87.5 preT2018: 85.3 preT2019: 92.3 preT2020: 90.9 preT2021: 88.7 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance in South Africa is 88.7%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.5% on the previous year and up 40.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance in South Africa peaked at 92.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 58.9%, in 2005.

That places South Africa 5th out of 39 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.

Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 58.9%
2010 62.9% +6.7%
2014 85.4% +35.7%
2016 87.5% +2.6%
2018 85.3% -2.6%
2019 92.3% +8.2%
2020 90.9% -1.5%
2021 88.7% -2.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 58.9% 58.9% 58.9% 1
2010s 82.7% 62.9% 92.3% 5
2020s 89.8% 88.7% 90.9% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 2 Mongolia 92.2% compare
  2. 3 Thailand 91.0% compare
  3. 4 El Salvador 89.2% compare
  4. 6 Viet Nam 88.0% compare
  5. 7 Chile 86.3% compare
  6. 8 Peru 84.9% 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 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance in South Africa?
Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance in South Africa was 88.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 92.3% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 58.9% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance?
South Africa ranks 5th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - all social assistance rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 40.9%. 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 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-3rd-quintile-percent-all-social-assistance-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - All Social Assistance (preT)
Unit
preT
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)