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

South Africa: Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - Social Pensions was 32.9% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
32.9%
Change on year
down 7.6%
World rank
3rd
of 25 countries
All-time high
40.4%
in 2019
All-time low
22.7%
in 2014
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

0102030402005201320212005: 24.9 preT2010: 24.6 preT2014: 22.7 preT2016: 37.7 preT2018: 32.7 preT2019: 40.4 preT2020: 35.6 preT2021: 32.9 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

In 2021, coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa stood at 32.9%.

That represents a change of down 7.6% on the previous year and up 33.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa peaked at 40.4% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 22.7%, in 2014.

That places South Africa 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

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

Annual values for Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 24.9%
2010 24.6% -0.9%
2014 22.7% -7.8%
2016 37.7% +65.9%
2018 32.7% -13.2%
2019 40.4% +23.5%
2020 35.6% -12.0%
2021 32.9% -7.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 24.9% 24.9% 24.9% 1
2010s 31.6% 22.7% 40.4% 5
2020s 34.2% 32.9% 35.6% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Georgia 58.7% compare
  2. 2 Thailand 51.9% compare
  3. 4 Chile 22.1% compare
  4. 5 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 19.2% compare
  5. 6 Mexico 18.8% compare

See the full ranking of 25 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa?
Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa was 32.9% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 40.4% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 22.7% in 2014.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - social pensions rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 33.3%. 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 3rd quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-3rd-quintile-percent-social-pensions-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 3rd quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
25 places, 222 data points, 2004–2023
Last refreshed

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