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 94.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
94.3%
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
3rd
of 40 countries
All-time high
95.3%
in 2014
All-time low
82.8%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

0204060801002005201320212005: 82.8 %2010: 85.9 %2014: 95.3 %2016: 89 %2018: 88.6 %2019: 91.1 %2020: 94.8 %2021: 94.3 %

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa is 94.3%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and up 9.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving all social in South Africa peaked at 95.3% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 82.8%, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 3rd of 40 countries on this measure, 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 (%) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year % Change
2005 82.8%
2010 85.9% +3.8%
2014 95.3% +10.9%
2016 89.0% -6.6%
2018 88.6% -0.4%
2019 91.1% +2.9%
2020 94.8% +4.0%
2021 94.3% -0.5%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 94.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 53.9%, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 82.8% 82.8% 82.8% 1
2010s 90.0% 85.9% 95.3% 5
2020s 94.6% 94.3% 94.8% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 98.3% compare
  2. 2 Thailand 96.1% compare
  3. 4 Peru 90.2% compare
  4. 5 El Salvador 87.1% compare
  5. 6 Viet Nam 80.7% 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 94.3% 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 95.3% 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 82.8% in 2005.
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 up 9.8%. 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 (%). 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 16 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-in-the-1st-quintile-poorest-only-receiving-all-social-assistance-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) only receiving All Social Assistance (%)
Unit
%
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)