Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in South Africa
South Africa: Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) was 17.4% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in South Africa, 1993–2022
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2022, poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa stood at 17.4%. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
That represents a change of down 37.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa peaked at 47.9% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 17.4%, in 2022.
That places South Africa 26th out of 123 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 44.6% | — |
| 2000 | 47.9% | +7.4% |
| 2005 | 40.7% | -15.0% |
| 2008 | 37.0% | -9.1% |
| 2010 | 27.8% | -24.9% |
| 2014 | 27.9% | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 17.4% | -37.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 17.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.5%, 11.6× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 17.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 38.8%, 45% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 44.6% | 44.6% | 44.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 41.9% | 37.0% | 47.9% | 3 |
| 2010s | 27.9% | 27.8% | 27.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.4% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 23 Côte d'Ivoire 20.8% compare
- 24 Syrian Arab Republic 18.0% compare
- 25 Senegal 17.9% compare
- 27 Honduras 15.7% compare
- 28 Guinea 11.7% compare
- 29 Mauritania 10.2% compare
More poverty & inequality data for South Africa
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 1 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 2.22 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 4,562 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate -20.01 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 28.13 (2022)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 28.1% (2022)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa?
- Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa was 17.4% in 2022, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 47.9% in 2000.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.4% in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp)?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 123 countries with data for 2022.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.