Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social in South Africa

South Africa: Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social was 3.3% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
3.3%
Change on year
up 17.1%
World rank
34th
of 38 countries
All-time high
12.7%
in 2005
All-time low
1.2%
in 2018
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

02.557.51012.52005201320212005: 12.72010: 12.32014: 2.82016: 1.82018: 1.22019: 2.92020: 2.82021: 3.3

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social in South Africa is 3.3%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of up 17.1% on the previous year and down 73.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social in South Africa peaked at 12.7% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 2018.

That places South Africa 34th out of 38 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social Protection (%) -rural in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 12.7%
2010 12.3% -2.8%
2014 2.8% -77.2%
2016 1.8% -35.9%
2018 1.2% -35.8%
2019 2.9% +151.6%
2020 2.8% -4.0%
2021 3.3% +17.1%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 3.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 26.8%, 12% of the median. (23 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 12.7% 12.7% 12.7% 1
2010s 4.2% 1.2% 12.3% 5
2020s 3.0% 2.8% 3.3% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 31 Poland 7.8% compare
  2. 32 Panama 6.6% compare
  3. 33 Chile 3.4% compare
  4. 35 Thailand 2.2% compare
  5. 36 Peru 1.4% compare
  6. 37 Mongolia 1.1% compare

See the full ranking of 38 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social in South Africa?
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social in South Africa was 3.3% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 12.7% in 2005.
What is the lowest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 2018.
How does South Africa rank for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social?
South Africa ranks 34th out of 38 countries with data for 2021.
Is population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 73.4%. 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 Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social Protection (%) -rural. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-in-the-1st-quintile-poorest-not-receiving-social-protection-percent-rural/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) not receiving Social Protection (%) -rural
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
38 places, 370 data points, 2002–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage of population not receiving Social Protection programs