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

South Africa: Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and was 39.5% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
39.5%
Change on year
up 6.8%
World rank
18th
of 39 countries
All-time high
56.1%
in 2019
All-time low
15.9%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

20304050602005201320212005: 15.9 preT2010: 27.2 preT2014: 48 preT2016: 38.1 preT2018: 41.6 preT2019: 56.1 preT2020: 37 preT2021: 39.5 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 39.5% for coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and in 2021.

That represents a change of up 6.8% on the previous year and up 45.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and in South Africa peaked at 56.1% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 15.9%, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 18th of 39 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 15.9%
2010 27.2% +71.1%
2014 48.0% +76.2%
2016 38.1% -20.7%
2018 41.6% +9.2%
2019 56.1% +34.8%
2020 37.0% -34.0%
2021 39.5% +6.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 15.9% 15.9% 15.9% 1
2010s 42.2% 27.2% 56.1% 5
2020s 38.3% 37.0% 39.5% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Costa Rica 48.2% compare
  2. 16 Romania 46.5% compare
  3. 17 Albania 40.9% compare
  4. 19 Ukraine 39.5% compare
  5. 20 Georgia 38.8% compare
  6. 21 Kazakhstan 38.3% 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 protection and in South Africa?
Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and in South Africa was 39.5% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 56.1% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 15.9% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -all social protection and rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 45.1%. 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 Protection and Labor (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-5th-quintile-richest-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 5th quintile (richest) (%) -All Social Protection and Labor (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 Protection and Labor programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)