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

South Africa: Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban was 25.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
25.7%
Change on year
down 2.2%
World rank
16th
of 39 countries
All-time high
46.2%
in 2019
All-time low
9.7%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

10203040502005201320212005: 9.72010: 18.62014: 38.92016: 21.92018: 31.32019: 46.22020: 26.32021: 25.7

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa is 25.7%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.2% on the previous year and up 38.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa peaked at 46.2% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 9.7%, in 2005.

That places South Africa 16th out of 39 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 9.7%
2010 18.6% +91.9%
2014 38.9% +109.2%
2016 21.9% -43.7%
2018 31.3% +42.7%
2019 46.2% +47.7%
2020 26.3% -43.1%
2021 25.7% -2.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 9.7% 9.7% 9.7% 1
2010s 31.4% 18.6% 46.2% 5
2020s 26.0% 25.7% 26.3% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 13 Belarus 32.3% compare
  2. 14 Mexico 26.6% compare
  3. 15 Indonesia 26.3% compare
  4. 17 Panama 25.6% compare
  5. 18 Uruguay 24.5% compare
  6. 19 Dominican Republic 22.0% 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 -urban in South Africa?
Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban in South Africa was 25.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 46.2% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 9.7% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban?
South Africa ranks 16th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - all social assistance -urban rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 38.2%. 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 -urban. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) - All Social Assistance -urban in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-all-social-assistance-urban/south-africa/

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About this data

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