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

South Africa: Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving Social Assistance was 0.3% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
0.3%
Change on year
up 305.3%
World rank
35th
of 40 countries
All-time high
8.8%
in 2018
All-time low
0.1%
in 2020
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

024682005201320212005: 1.1 %2010: 0.406 %2014: 0.884 %2016: 6.3 %2018: 8.8 %2019: 4.5 %2020: 0.066 %2021: 0.269 %

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2021, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance in South Africa stood at 0.3%.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 305.3% on the previous year and down 33.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance in South Africa peaked at 8.8% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2020.

South Africa ranks 35th of 40 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year % Change
2005 1.1%
2010 0.4% -64.4%
2014 0.9% +117.6%
2016 6.3% +612.8%
2018 8.8% +39.3%
2019 4.5% -49.0%
2020 0.1% -98.5%
2021 0.3% +305.3%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 0.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.3%, 6% of the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1
2010s 4.2% 0.4% 8.8% 5
2020s 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 32 Sri Lanka 0.8% compare
  2. 33 Côte d'Ivoire 0.5% compare
  3. 34 Malawi 0.3% compare
  4. 36 Colombia 0.1% compare
  5. 37 Burkina Faso 0.0% compare
  6. 38 Georgia 0.0% compare
  7. 38 Honduras 0.0% compare
  8. 38 Paraguay 0.0% 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) receiving social assistance in South Africa?
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance in South Africa was 0.3% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 8.8% in 2018.
What is the lowest population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance?
South Africa ranks 35th out of 40 countries with data for 2021.
Is population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving social assistance rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 33.7%. 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) receiving Social Assistance and Other (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving Social Assistance in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-in-the-1st-quintile-poorest-receiving-social-assistance-and-other-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in the 1st quintile (poorest) receiving Social Assistance and Other (%)
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 receiving Social Assistance and Other program (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)