Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) in South Africa
South Africa: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) was 30.2% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 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
The most recent figure for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa is 30.2%, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is down 26.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa peaked at 59.3% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 30.2%, 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 $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 56.0% | — |
| 2000 | 59.3% | +5.9% |
| 2005 | 54.9% | -7.4% |
| 2008 | 50.1% | -8.7% |
| 2010 | 41.2% | -17.8% |
| 2014 | 41.7% | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 30.2% | -27.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 30.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.2%, 7.3× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 30.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 62.2%, 49% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 56.0% | 56.0% | 56.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 54.8% | 50.1% | 59.3% | 3 |
| 2010s | 41.5% | 41.2% | 41.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 30.2% | 30.2% | 30.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More poverty & inequality data for South Africa
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 1 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ 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 $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa?
- Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in South Africa was 30.2% 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 $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 59.3% in 2000.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.2% in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp)?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 123 countries with data for 2022.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.7%. 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 $4.20 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 $4.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $4.20 a day at 2021 international prices.