Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural in South Africa

South Africa: Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural was 1.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
1.7%
Change on year
up 60.0%
World rank
26th
of 38 countries
All-time high
9.4%
in 2016
All-time low
1.0%
in 2020
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural in South Africa, 2005–2021

2468102005201320212005: 1.82010: 1.22014: 1.72016: 9.42018: 8.62019: 5.62020: 12021: 1.7

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 1.7% for population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 60.0% on the previous year and up 42.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural in South Africa peaked at 9.4% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 2020.

South Africa ranks 26th of 38 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 1.8%
2010 1.2% -35.0%
2014 1.7% +46.5%
2016 9.4% +447.6%
2018 8.6% -8.4%
2019 5.6% -35.4%
2020 1.0% -81.3%
2021 1.7% +60.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1
2010s 5.3% 1.2% 9.4% 5
2020s 1.4% 1.0% 1.7% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 23 Ecuador 3.2% compare
  2. 24 Thailand 3.0% compare
  3. 25 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 2.6% compare
  4. 27 Dominican Republic 1.6% compare
  5. 28 Kosovo 1.2% compare
  6. 28 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 1.2% 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 receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural in South Africa?
Population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural in South Africa was 1.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 9.4% in 2016.
What is the lowest population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural?
South Africa ranks 26th out of 38 countries with data for 2021.
Is population receiving social assistance and other (%) -rural rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 42.1%. 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 receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -rural in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-receiving-social-assistance-and-other-percent-rural/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -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 receiving Social Assistance and Other program (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)