How much you need to make to be officially classified as poor in South Africa in 2026

• To be officially classified as poor in South Africa in 2026, an individual must earn or spend less than R2,962 per person per month.
• The poverty lines are calculated using Stats SA's Cost of Basic Needs approach, which links welfare to the consumption of goods and services, and consider both food and essential non-food requirements.
• The government's decision may lead to increased financial support for low-income households, while also highlighting the growing need for poverty alleviation measures in South Africa.