Here’s how many people in South Africa rely on social grants in 2026
The figure represents a decline of 416 778 grants between the first and fourth quarters of the financial year, when the number fell from 19 255 088 to 18 838 310.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of grants at 4 217 843, followed by Gauteng with 2 972 131 About 43% of South Africa’s population; approximately 27 million people, benefited from social assistance transfers during the 2025/26 financial year, according to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
The Eastern Cape recorded the biggest decline during the financial year, dropping by 76 467 grants between the first and fourth quarters.
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