# About 23-million South Africans, or 37.9-percent of the population, are living below the lower-bound poverty line, a notable decline from 46.7-percent in 2015. This is according to Statistics South Africa’s latest poverty trends report. Poverty levels declined across all age categories between 2015 and 2023, while Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga recorded the biggest drop. Gauteng recorded an increase from 26.3-percent in 2015 to 26.5-percent in 2023. StatsSA says stronger interventions to address inequality are needed.
About 23-million South Africans are living below the lower-bound poverty line