Stats SA findings show poverty on the rise in SA
Statistics South Africa has released new data showing that there's been an increase in poverty levels in South Africa.
The reports shows the poverty rate increasing from 53.2% in 2011 to 55.5% in 2015.
It covers trends over a 10-year period - between 2006 and 2015.
Newswatch spoke to researcher at food price barometer, PACSA, Julie Smith who says jobs and a change in the economy is needed.
Smith says what is more alarming is that the youth and households that are run by females are the ones mostly affected.
Stats SA also released the General Household Survey of 2016. The report showed that 13,5% of South African households were living in RDP houses, with the percentage of female-headed households (16,9%) higher than male-headed household (11,0%).
Here is a graph displaying the findings:
She also pointed out that people are cutting down on buying food. According to their data, PACSA found that South Africans earning the minimum wage cannot afford to spend on food because of debts and other living expenses.
Stats SA also found that over 13 million children in this country are living in poverty.
