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 96.6% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
96.6%
Change on year
down 0.7%
World rank
3rd
of 38 countries
All-time high
97.2%
in 2020
All-time low
86.2%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

0204060801002005201320212005: 86.22010: 87.12014: 96.32016: 91.22018: 89.62019: 91.52020: 97.22021: 96.6

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa is 96.6%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 0.7% on the previous year and up 10.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa peaked at 97.2% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 86.2%, in 2005.

That places South Africa 3rd out of 38 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 (%) -rural in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 86.2%
2010 87.1% +1.0%
2014 96.3% +10.6%
2016 91.2% -5.3%
2018 89.6% -1.7%
2019 91.5% +2.1%
2020 97.2% +6.2%
2021 96.6% -0.7%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 96.6% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 60.3%, 1.6× the median. (23 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 86.2% 86.2% 86.2% 1
2010s 91.1% 87.1% 96.3% 5
2020s 96.9% 96.6% 97.2% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 99.6% compare
  2. 2 Thailand 96.9% compare
  3. 4 Peru 93.4% compare
  4. 5 Panama 91.2% compare
  5. 6 El Salvador 87.8% 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) only receiving all social in South Africa?
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa was 96.6% 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 97.2% in 2020.
What is the lowest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 86.2% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 38 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 up 10.9%. 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 Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%) -rural. 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-rural/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%) -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 only receiving All Social Assistance programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)