South Africa

 

The South African Constitution enshrines the right to social security. Consequently, the government identified a three-pillar approach to the provision of social security: the non-contributory (tax-financed), the contributory and the private voluntary pillars. The non-contributory schemes include social assistance programmes.

There have been many accomplishments in social security since the transition to democracy in 1994. Most notably are: the creation of important safeguards protecting the constitutional right to social security and social assistance for all people in need; the establishment of a dedicated agency, the South African Social Security Agency, to ensure uniform access to social assistance benefits for all qualifying residents; the expansion of benefits to children and elderly people; and the extension of unemployment insurance to domestic workers and seasonal farm workers.

Social assistance benefits played and continue to play a significant role cushioning the effects of harsh living conditions for the most vulnerable households, particularly when there is an insufficient absorptive capacity of the labour market. By implementing the main components of a Social Protection Floor (SPF), South Africa has made notable progress reducing extreme poverty over the last 15 years.

Total population : 50.7 million
(UN Population Division | World Population Prospects, 2012)
GDP per capita (PPP US $) : 11035
(World Bank | WDI, 2011)
GDP growth (in %) : 3.1
(World Bank | WDI, 2011)
Human Development Index (HDI) : 0.619 [Rank: 123]
(UNDP | Human Development Indicators, 2011)
Total expenditures on health as % of GDP : 8.9
(WHO | WHO Statistical System, 2010)
Public expenditure on health as % of GDP : 3.9
(WHO | WHO Statistical System, 2010)
Govt. expenditure on health as % of total govt. Expenditure : 11.9
(WHO | WHO Statistical System, 2010)
Health expenditure not financed out of pocket by private households (% total health expenditure) : 83.4
(WHO | WHO Statistical System, 2010)
Public social security expenditure (including health) as % of PIB : 11.01
(IMF, 2007)
Share of population above the statutory retirement age benefiting from an old-age pension : 70.4
(ILO Social security inquiry, 2011) Map
Share of economically active population contributing to a pension scheme : 6.3
(ILO Social security inquiry, 2010)
Share of unemployed receiving regular periodic unemployment benefits : 14.2
(ILO Social security inquiry, 2012) Map

Link to SSI: South Africa | Data from the ILO Social Security Inquiry [New!]


Social security schemes and programs by branch

 

 

 

 

See all
RESOURCES

A basic income grant for South Africa
Standing, G.; Samson, M.; ILO, Infocus Programme on Socio-Economic Security, 2003
Child Support Grants - South Africa
Patel, L., 2011
Trends in South African income distribution and poverty since the fall of apartheid
Leibbrandt, M.; Woolard, I; Finn, A.; Argent, J., 2010

See all
NEWS & Calendar

South Africa is investigating Bolsa-Familia-type grant
National Health Insurance Process Unfolds, South Africa
MIGSEC project on « Extending Social Security for Migrant Workers in Africa »(2008-2010)

See all
Links

South Africa Government Services - Social benefits
South Africa Government Services , 2011
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
SASSA, 2011

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Page updated 2012-10-02

 
Raphaelle Bessette-Viens
g14socpol@ilo.org