Coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa
South Africa: Coverage of social safety net programs was 76.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa, 2005–2021
Source: ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa is 76.7%, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 1.1% on the previous year and up 26.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa peaked at 82.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 56.6%, in 2005.
South Africa ranks 8th of 38 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 56.6% | — |
| 2010 | 60.8% | +7.5% |
| 2014 | 78.7% | +29.3% |
| 2016 | 75.8% | -3.7% |
| 2018 | 76.8% | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 82.6% | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 77.6% | -6.1% |
| 2021 | 76.7% | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 56.6% | 56.6% | 56.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 74.9% | 60.8% | 82.6% | 5 |
| 2020s | 77.2% | 76.7% | 77.6% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa?
- Coverage of social safety net programs in South Africa was 76.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest coverage of social safety net programs recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 82.6% in 2019.
- What is the lowest coverage of social safety net programs recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 56.6% in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for coverage of social safety net programs?
- South Africa ranks 8th out of 38 countries with data for 2021.
- Is coverage of social safety net programs rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, World Bank (WB), published as part of Coverage of social safety net programs (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.