Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban was 72.1% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
72.1%
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
13th
of 39 countries
All-time high
80.0%
in 2019
All-time low
45.5%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060802005201320212005: 45.52010: 52.92014: 74.12016: 71.42018: 71.22019: 802020: 71.72021: 72.1

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban in South Africa is 72.1%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and up 36.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban in South Africa peaked at 80.0% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 45.5%, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 13th of 39 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 45.5%
2010 52.9% +16.3%
2014 74.1% +39.9%
2016 71.4% -3.7%
2018 71.2% -0.2%
2019 80.0% +12.3%
2020 71.7% -10.3%
2021 72.1% +0.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 45.5% 45.5% 45.5% 1
2010s 69.9% 52.9% 80.0% 5
2020s 71.9% 71.7% 72.1% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 10 Russia 75.2% compare
  2. 11 Panama 73.8% compare
  3. 12 Armenia 73.3% compare
  4. 14 Belarus 71.6% compare
  5. 15 Uruguay 71.5% compare
  6. 16 Costa Rica 68.1% 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 (%) -all social protection and labor -urban in South Africa?
Coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban in South Africa was 72.1% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 80.0% in 2019.
What is the lowest coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 45.5% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban?
South Africa ranks 13th out of 39 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage (%) -all social protection and labor -urban rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 36.1%. 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 (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -urban in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-percent-all-social-protection-and-labor-urban/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage (%) -All Social Protection and Labor -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 Protection and Labor programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)