Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa

South Africa: Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh was 3.70 million in 2022. ▲ Rising

Latest (2022)
3.70 million
World rank
35th
of 120 countries
All-time high
3.79 million
in 2010
All-time low
901,360
in 2000
Years of data
7
1993–2022

Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa, 1993–2022

1.0M2.0M3.0M4.0M1993200720221993: 1.3M2000: 901.4k2005: 2.8M2008: 3.0M2010: 3.8M2014: 3.5M2022: 3.7M

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2022, distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa stood at 3.70 million.

That represents a change of down 2.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa peaked at 3.79 million in 2010 and was at its lowest, 901,360, in 2000.

South Africa ranks 35th of 120 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresholds in South Africa, 1993 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1993 1.26 million
2000 901,360 -28.5%
2005 2.78 million +208.5%
2008 3.01 million +8.1%
2010 3.79 million +26.2%
2014 3.49 million -7.9%
2022 3.70 million +5.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 1.26 million 1.26 million 1.26 million 1
2000s 2.23 million 901,360 3.01 million 3
2010s 3.64 million 3.49 million 3.79 million 2
2020s 3.70 million 3.70 million 3.70 million 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 32 Finland 4.40 million compare
  2. 33 Viet Nam 4.24 million compare
  3. 34 Portugal 3.89 million compare
  4. 36 Ireland 3.69 million compare
  5. 37 Greece 2.83 million compare
  6. 38 Indonesia 2.47 million compare

See the full ranking of 120 places →

More poverty & inequality data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa?
Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa was 3.70 million in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 3.79 million in 2010.
What is the lowest distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 901,360 in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh?
South Africa ranks 35th out of 120 countries with data for 2022.
Is distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 2.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresholds. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresh in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/distribution-of-population-between-different-poverty-lines-more-thresholds/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Distribution of population between different poverty lines more thresholds
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
120 places, 2,148 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed