South Africa—Social Protection Coverage (%)
Category: Social ProtectionSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #12 of 55Updated April 2026
Latest Value
78.4%
2021
YoY Change
-0.3%
2020 → 2021
Global Rank
#12
of 55 countries
Maximum
84.2%
2019
Minimum
58.5%
2005
CAGR
+1.8%
8 years
Last
78.4%
Previous
78.7%
Highest
84.2%
Lowest
58.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's social protection coverage (%) was 78.4% in 2021, ranking #12 out of 55 countries. This represents a -0.3% change from 2020. Over the past 8 years, the highest recorded value was 84.2% (2019) and the lowest was 58.5% (2005). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78.4% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 78.7% | -6.6% |
| 2019 | 84.2% | +7.9% |
| 2018 | 78.1% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 78.1% | -2.2% |
| 2014 | 79.9% | +27.3% |
| 2010 | 62.8% | +7.2% |
| 2005 | 58.5% |
Top Countries — Social Protection Coverage (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolivia | 96.9% | 2021 |
| 2 | Mongolia | 92.6% | 2020 |
| 3 | Iran, Islamic Rep. | 89.9% | 2020 |
| 4 | Viet Nam | 89.4% | 2020 |
| 5 | El Salvador | 88.8% | 2022 |
| 6 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 87.9% | 2019 |
| 7 | Thailand | 87.2% | 2021 |
| 8 | Chile | 85.6% | 2022 |
| 9 | Peru | 83.4% | 2022 |
| 10 | Romania | 79.8% | 2021 |