Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social was 93.6% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
93.6%
Change on year
down 1.0%
World rank
3rd
of 40 countries
All-time high
97.7%
in 2014
All-time low
86.3%
in 2018
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060801002005201320212005: 95.4 %, preT2010: 95.5 %, preT2014: 97.7 %, preT2016: 88 %, preT2018: 86.3 %, preT2019: 90.5 %, preT2020: 94.6 %, preT2021: 93.6 %, preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in %, preT.

Analysis

In 2021, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa stood at 93.6%.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.0% on the previous year and down 1.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa peaked at 97.7% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 86.3%, in 2018.

That places South Africa 3rd out of 40 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year %, preT Change
2005 95.4%
2010 95.5% +0.1%
2014 97.7% +2.3%
2016 88.0% -9.9%
2018 86.3% -2.0%
2019 90.5% +4.9%
2020 94.6% +4.4%
2021 93.6% -1.0%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 93.6% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 54.7%, 1.7× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 95.4% 95.4% 95.4% 1
2010s 91.6% 86.3% 97.7% 5
2020s 94.1% 93.6% 94.6% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Georgia 98.0% compare
  2. 2 Bolivia 97.1% compare
  3. 4 Thailand 89.7% compare
  4. 5 Peru 89.4% compare
  5. 6 El Salvador 87.6% compare

See the full ranking of 40 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa?
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa was 93.6% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 97.7% in 2014.
What is the lowest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 86.3% in 2018.
How does South Africa rank for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 40 countries with data for 2021.
Is population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 1.9%. 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 Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-in-the-1st-quintile-poorest-only-receiving-all-social-assistance-percent-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT)
Unit
%, preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
40 places, 395 data points, 2002–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage of population only receiving All Social Assistance programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)