Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) in South Africa

South Africa: Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) was 44.5% in 2014. ▼ Falling

Latest (2014)
44.5%
World rank
20th
of 120 countries
All-time high
59.3%
in 2000
All-time low
42.8%
in 2010
Years of data
6
1993–2014

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) in South Africa, 1993–2014

02040601993200320141993: 56 % of population2000: 59.3 % of population2005: 56.2 % of population2008: 44 % of population2010: 42.8 % of population2014: 44.5 % of population

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in % of population.

Analysis

The most recent figure for poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) in South Africa is 44.5%, measured in 2014.

The figure is down 20.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) in South Africa peaked at 59.3% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 42.8%, in 2010.

South Africa ranks 20th of 120 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) (% of population) in South Africa, 1993 to 2014.
Year % of population Change
1993 56.0%
2000 59.3% +5.9%
2005 56.2% -5.2%
2008 44.0% -21.7%
2010 42.8% -2.7%
2014 44.5% +4.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 56.0% 56.0% 56.0% 1
2000s 53.2% 44.0% 59.3% 3
2010s 43.6% 42.8% 44.5% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 17 Togo 55.3% compare
  2. 18 Benin 50.0% compare
  3. 19 Pakistan 44.7% compare
  4. 21 Côte d'Ivoire 41.7% compare
  5. 22 Cameroon 41.3% compare
  6. 23 Gambia 40.2% compare

See the full ranking of 120 places →

More population data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) in South Africa?
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) in South Africa was 44.5% in 2014, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 59.3% in 2000.
What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 42.8% in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp)?
South Africa ranks 20th out of 120 countries with data for 2014.
Is poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (ppp) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 20.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-3-20-a-day-ppp-percent-of-population/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day (PPP) (% of population)
Unit
% of population
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
120 places, 2,250 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release