Highest Poverty in South Africa

Top 100 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · South Africa

Highest Poverty — South Africa

1 Babirwa 09 31.2%

2 Boipelo 10 31.2%

3 Napier 11 31.2%

4 Kgapamadi 07 31.2%

5 Hazyview 07 31.2%

6 Calitzdorp 11 31.2%

7 Languedoc 11 31.2%

8 Matsavana 07 31.2%

9 Cato Ridge 02 31.2%

10 Kylemore 11 31.2%

11 Riebeek West 11 31.2%

12 GaSekhaolelo 09 31.2%

13 Kumana 07 31.2%

14 Charlestown 02 31.2%

15 Cedarville 02 31.2%

16 eMkhuze 02 31.2%

17 Struisbaai 11 31.2%

18 Senwamokgope 09 31.2%

19 Newlands 11 31.2%

20 Nababeep 08 31.2%

21 Pearston 05 31.2%

22 Lidgetton 02 31.2%

23 Ekulindeni 07 31.2%

24 Uniondale 11 31.2%

25 Albert Falls 02 31.2%

26 Libode 05 31.2%

27 Eden Glen Ext 60 06 31.2%

28 Khaya Mnandi 05 31.2%

29 Oakglen 08 31.2%

30 Manguzi 02 31.2%

31 Peddie 05 31.2%

32 Zoar 11 31.2%

33 James Calata 05 31.2%

34 Ngema Tribal Trust 07 31.2%

35 Stella 10 31.2%

36 Mooinooi 10 31.2%

37 Riebeek-Kasteel 11 31.2%

38 Smithfield 03 31.2%

39 Stanford 11 31.2%

40 Ludlow 09 31.2%

41 Louterwater 05 31.2%

42 Carnarvon 08 31.2%

43 Tshandama 09 31.2%

44 Reddersburg 03 31.2%

45 Orinoco A 07 31.2%

46 Qumbu 05 31.2%

47 Magabeni 02 31.2%

48 St Francis Bay 05 31.2%

49 Port Saint John’s 05 31.2%

50 Thabakgolo 07 31.2%

51 Nthabalala 09 31.2%

52 Kareedouw 05 31.2%

53 Venterstad 05 31.2%

54 Doornkop 07 31.2%

55 Murraysburg 11 31.2%

56 Perdekop 07 31.2%

57 eMakhazeni B 07 31.2%

58 Oranjeville 03 31.2%

59 Justicia 09 31.2%

60 Dullstroom 07 31.2%

61 Lutzville 11 31.2%

62 Riviersonderend 11 31.2%

63 Godide 07 31.2%

64 Patensie 05 31.2%

65 Trompsburg 03 31.2%

66 Mount Ayliff 05 31.2%

67 Grootvlei 07 31.2%

68 Dealesville 03 31.2%

69 Nqutu 02 31.2%

70 Amalia 10 31.2%

71 Simon's Town 11 31.2%

72 Botrivier 11 31.2%

73 Madras A 07 31.2%

74 Paterson 05 31.2%

75 Nondweni 02 31.2%

76 Kranshoek 11 31.2%

77 Jansenville 05 31.2%

78 Itekeng 10 31.2%

79 Genadendal 11 31.2%

80 Laingsburg 11 31.2%

81 Lillydale 09 31.2%

82 Maviljan A 07 31.2%

83 Cookhouse 05 31.2%

84 Tsolo 05 31.2%

85 Jagersfontein 03 31.2%

86 Port Edward 02 31.2%

87 Trust Feed 02 31.2%

88 Merry Pebble Stream 09 31.2%

89 Constantia 11 31.2%

90 Tweespruit 03 31.2%

91 Mathibela 09 31.2%

92 Eastleigh 06 31.2%

93 Glenmore 07 31.2%

94 Madyembeni 07 31.2%

95 Winterton 02 31.2%

96 Tarkastad 05 31.2%

97 KwaThandeka 07 31.2%

98 Edinburgh A 07 31.2%

99 Lothair 07 31.2%

100 Lamberts Bay 11 31.2%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in South Africa face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Babirwa has a poverty rate of 31.2%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Babirwa, 31.2% of residents — roughly 1 in 3 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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