Population only receiving All Social Assistance in South Africa

South Africa: Population only receiving All Social Assistance was 75.0% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
75.0%
Change on year
down 1.9%
World rank
4th
of 40 countries
All-time high
77.3%
in 2019
All-time low
54.9%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Population only receiving All Social Assistance in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060802005201320212005: 54.9 %2010: 59.4 %2014: 76.5 %2016: 68.8 %2018: 70.8 %2019: 77.3 %2020: 76.5 %2021: 75 %

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population only receiving all social assistance in South Africa is 75.0%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.9% on the previous year and up 26.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population only receiving all social assistance in South Africa peaked at 77.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 54.9%, in 2005.

That places South Africa 4th out of 40 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Population only receiving All Social Assistance in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Population only receiving All Social Assistance (%) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year % Change
2005 54.9%
2010 59.4% +8.1%
2014 76.5% +28.9%
2016 68.8% -10.1%
2018 70.8% +2.9%
2019 77.3% +9.2%
2020 76.5% -1.1%
2021 75.0% -1.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 54.9% 54.9% 54.9% 1
2010s 70.6% 59.4% 77.3% 5
2020s 75.7% 75.0% 76.5% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Bolivia 90.1% compare
  2. 2 Thailand 82.6% compare
  3. 3 El Salvador 80.4% compare
  4. 5 Vietnam 74.9% compare
  5. 6 Peru 73.7% compare
  6. 7 Georgia 66.0% 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 only receiving all social assistance in South Africa?
Population only receiving all social assistance in South Africa was 75.0% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population only receiving all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 77.3% in 2019.
What is the lowest population only receiving all social assistance recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 54.9% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for population only receiving all social assistance?
South Africa ranks 4th out of 40 countries with data for 2021.
Is population only receiving all social assistance rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 26.4%. 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 only receiving All Social Assistance (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population only receiving All Social Assistance in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-only-receiving-all-social-assistance-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population 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)