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

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

Latest (2021)
1.7%
Change on year
up 45.3%
World rank
33rd
of 40 countries
All-time high
5.5%
in 2016
All-time low
1.2%
in 2020
Years of data
8
2005–2021

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

1234562005201320212005: 1.62010: 1.62014: 2.42016: 5.52018: 4.62019: 5.12020: 1.22021: 1.7

Source: ASPIRE.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban in South Africa is 1.7%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 45.3% on the previous year and up 5.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban in South Africa peaked at 5.5% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 2020.

That places South Africa 33rd out of 40 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -urban in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 1.6%
2010 1.6% +2.5%
2014 2.4% +44.9%
2016 5.5% +133.8%
2018 4.6% -17.3%
2019 5.1% +11.7%
2020 1.2% -76.8%
2021 1.7% +45.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1
2010s 3.9% 1.6% 5.5% 5
2020s 1.5% 1.2% 1.7% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 30 Paraguay 1.8% compare
  2. 31 Kosovo 1.7% compare
  3. 31 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 1.7% compare
  4. 34 Colombia 1.2% compare
  5. 35 Honduras 0.7% compare
  6. 36 Pakistan 0.7% 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 receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban in South Africa?
Population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban in South Africa was 1.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 5.5% in 2016.
What is the lowest population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban?
South Africa ranks 33rd out of 40 countries with data for 2021.
Is population receiving social assistance and other (%) -urban rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 5.6%. 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 (%) -urban. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -urban in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-receiving-social-assistance-and-other-percent-urban/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population receiving Social Assistance and Other (%) -urban
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)