Number of people living in extreme poverty in South Africa 2016-2030

As of 2024, around 13.2 million people in South Africa are living in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars daily. This means that 139,563 more people were pushed into poverty compared to 2023. Moreover, the headcount was forecast to increase in the coming years. By 2030, over 13.4 million South Africans will live on a maximum of 2.15 U.S. dollars per day. 

Who is considered poor domestically?

Poverty is measured using several matrices. For example, local authorities tend to rely on the national poverty line, assessed based on consumer price indices (CPI) of a basket of goods of food and non-food components. In 2023, the domestic poverty line in South Africa stood at 1,109 South African rand per month (around 62.14 U.S. dollars per month). According to a survey, social inequality and poverty worried a significant share of the South African respondents. As of September 2024, some 33 percent of the respondents reported that they were worried about the state of poverty and unequal income distribution in the country.  

Eastern Cape residents received more grants

South Africa’s labor market has struggled to absorb the country’s population. In 2023, almost a third of the economically active population was unemployed. Local authorities employ relief assistance and social grants in an attempt to reduce poverty and assist poor individuals. In 2023, almost 50 percent of South African households received state support, with the majority share benefiting in the Eastern Cape.