Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions was 15.2% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
15.2%
Change on year
up 15.1%
World rank
15th
of 25 countries
All-time high
55.0%
in 2010
All-time low
13.2%
in 2020
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa, 2005–2021

1020304050602005201320212005: 54.5 preT2010: 55 preT2014: 51.8 preT2016: 21.1 preT2018: 20.6 preT2019: 19.4 preT2020: 13.2 preT2021: 15.2 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

In 2021, coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa stood at 15.2%.

The figure is up 15.1% on the previous year and down 72.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa peaked at 55.0% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 13.2%, in 2020.

That places South Africa 15th out of 25 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 54.5%
2010 55.0% +0.9%
2014 51.8% -5.8%
2016 21.1% -59.2%
2018 20.6% -2.4%
2019 19.4% -5.8%
2020 13.2% -31.9%
2021 15.2% +15.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 54.5% 54.5% 54.5% 1
2010s 33.6% 19.4% 55.0% 5
2020s 14.2% 13.2% 15.2% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 12 Panama 18.8% compare
  2. 13 Peru 18.8% compare
  3. 14 Republic of Moldova 16.1% compare
  4. 16 Poland 13.6% compare
  5. 17 Brazil 13.4% compare
  6. 18 Romania 11.2% 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 extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa?
Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa was 15.2% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 55.0% in 2010.
What is the lowest coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 13.2% in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions?
South Africa ranks 15th out of 25 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 72.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-extreme-poor-2-15-a-day-percent-social-pensions-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
25 places, 221 data points, 2004–2023
Last refreshed

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