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 15.4% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
15.4%
Change on year
up 16.0%
World rank
4th
of 24 countries
All-time high
42.2%
in 2014
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

102030402005201320212005: 41.82010: 40.22014: 42.22016: 21.22018: 19.52019: 19.42020: 13.22021: 15.4

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa is 15.4%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of up 16.0% on the previous year and down 61.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - social pensions in South Africa peaked at 42.2% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 13.2%, in 2020.

South Africa ranks 4th of 24 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

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 in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 41.8%
2010 40.2% -3.8%
2014 42.2% +4.8%
2016 21.2% -49.7%
2018 19.5% -8.1%
2019 19.4% -0.3%
2020 13.2% -31.8%
2021 15.4% +16.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 41.8% 41.8% 41.8% 1
2010s 28.5% 19.4% 42.2% 5
2020s 14.3% 13.2% 15.4% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Thailand 75.2% compare
  2. 2 Georgia 56.9% compare
  3. 3 Sri Lanka 19.1% compare
  4. 5 Colombia 9.9% compare
  5. 6 Mexico 8.4% compare
  6. 7 Serbia 8.3% compare

See the full ranking of 24 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 15.4% 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 42.2% in 2014.
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 4th out of 24 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 61.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
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. 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 31 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-extreme-poor-2-15-a-day-percent-social-pensions/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) (%) - Social Pensions
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
24 places, 212 data points, 2004–2023
Last refreshed

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