Highest Poverty in KwaZulu-Natal

Top 71 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 · KwaZulu-Natal

Highest Poverty — KwaZulu-Natal

1 Hopewell 31.2%

2 Inanda 31.2%

3 Darnall 31.2%

4 Dannhauser 31.2%

5 Hazelmere 31.2%

6 Harding 31.2%

7 Kgwaripe 31.2%

8 Sundumbili 31.2%

9 Paulpietersburg 31.2%

10 Melmoth 31.2%

11 Craigieburn 31.2%

12 Ekuvukeni 31.2%

13 Ixopo 31.2%

14 Matatiele 31.2%

15 Berea 31.2%

16 Frischgewaagd 31.2%

17 Ga-Malakhe 31.2%

18 Eshowe 31.2%

19 Nqutu 31.2%

20 Cato Ridge 31.2%

21 Charlestown 31.2%

22 Cedarville 31.2%

23 eMkhuze 31.2%

24 Lidgetton 31.2%

25 Albert Falls 31.2%

26 Manguzi 31.2%

27 Magabeni 31.2%

28 eMuziwezinto 31.2%

29 Nondweni 31.2%

30 Port Edward 31.2%

31 Trust Feed 31.2%

32 Winterton 31.2%

33 Colenso 31.2%

34 Weenen 31.2%

35 Utrecht 31.2%

36 Nongoma 31.2%

37 Ntuzuma 31.2%

38 Folweni 31.2%

39 Mandeni 31.2%

40 eSikhaleni 31.2%

41 Port Shepstone 31.2%

42 Mondlo 31.2%

43 Kokstad 31.2%

44 Tongaat 31.2%

45 Dundee 31.2%

46 Margate 31.2%

47 Mpumalanga 31.2%

48 Ladysmith 31.2%

49 Pinetown 31.2%

50 Vryheid 31.2%

51 KwaDukuza 31.2%

52 Richards Bay 31.2%

53 Newcastle 31.2%

54 Pietermaritzburg 31.2%

55 Ballitoville 31.2%

56 Ncotshane 31.2%

57 eMkhomazi 31.2%

58 Glencoe 31.2%

59 Mooi River 31.2%

60 Greytown 31.2%

61 Scottburgh 31.2%

62 Estcourt 31.2%

63 Shakaskraal 31.2%

64 Durban 31.2%

65 Mpophomeni 31.2%

66 Ulundi 31.2%

67 Richmond 31.2%

68 Howick 31.2%

69 Empangeni 31.2%

70 Mtubatuba 31.2%

71 Wembesi 31.2%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in KwaZulu-Natal face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Hopewell 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 Hopewell, 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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