Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance was 34.0% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
34.0%
Change on year
up 0.7%
World rank
12th
of 39 countries
All-time high
51.9%
in 2019
All-time low
10.7%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

10203040502005201320212005: 10.7 preT2010: 20.6 preT2014: 43.7 preT2016: 31.7 preT2018: 38.4 preT2019: 51.9 preT2020: 33.8 preT2021: 34 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

In 2021, coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance in South Africa stood at 34.0%.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 65.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance in South Africa peaked at 51.9% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 10.7%, in 2005.

That places South Africa 12th out of 39 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 10.7%
2010 20.6% +91.8%
2014 43.7% +112.2%
2016 31.7% -27.5%
2018 38.4% +21.2%
2019 51.9% +35.3%
2020 33.8% -34.8%
2021 34.0% +0.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 10.7% 10.7% 10.7% 1
2010s 37.2% 20.6% 51.9% 5
2020s 33.9% 33.8% 34.0% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 9 Romania 40.7% compare
  2. 10 Georgia 38.8% compare
  3. 11 Poland 34.3% compare
  4. 13 Indonesia 31.7% compare
  5. 14 Panama 30.9% compare
  6. 15 Uruguay 28.2% 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 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance in South Africa?
Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance in South Africa was 34.0% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 51.9% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 10.7% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance?
South Africa ranks 12th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 65.5%. 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 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-all-social-assistance-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - 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)