Coverage (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa
South Africa: Coverage (%) - Social Pensions was 25.7% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
25.7%
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
3rd
of 25 countries
All-time high
30.5%
in 2005
All-time low
25.3%
in 2020
Years of data
8
2005–2021
Coverage (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa, 2005–2021
Source: ASPIRE.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 25.7% for coverage (%) - social pensions in 2021.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and down 14.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coverage (%) - social pensions in South Africa peaked at 30.5% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 25.3%, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 3rd of 25 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 30.5% | 30.5% | 30.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 28.1% | 25.8% | 30.2% | 5 |
| 2020s | 25.5% | 25.3% | 25.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Criminal penalties or civil remedies sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 61.7% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 80.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 49.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 60.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 65.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 55.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coverage (%) - social pensions in South Africa?
- Coverage (%) - social pensions in South Africa was 25.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
- What is the highest coverage (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 30.5% in 2005.
- What is the lowest coverage (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.3% in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for coverage (%) - social pensions?
- South Africa ranks 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2021.
- Is coverage (%) - social pensions rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.6%. 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 (%) - Social Pensions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of population participating in Social Pensions programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)