South Africa’s cities show sharp contrasts: some urban areas are hubs of opportunity while others face long-term economic challenges that affect households, services and life chances. Looking at the poorest cities helps highlight where resources and policy attention are most needed.
There are 21 Poorest Cities in South Africa, ranging from Buffalo City to uMzimvubu. For each city you’ll find below Country,Poverty rate (%),Population (people), so you can compare location, poverty level and scale at a glance — you’ll find below.
How are the poverty rates for these cities determined?
Poverty rates usually come from national statistical surveys and censuses that measure household income, consumption or access to basic services against an official poverty line; different sources and years can change rankings, so check the data date and methodology noted with each entry.
How can this list be used responsibly?
Use it as a starting point for research, planning or charitable work: combine the list with local reports, recent surveys and on-the-ground contacts before making decisions, since numbers can mask within-city variation and recent economic shifts.
Poorest Cities in South Africa
| City | Country | Poverty rate (%) | Population (people) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ntabankulu | South Africa | 85.3 | 128,843 |
| Winnie Madikizela-Mandela | South Africa | 83.6 | 319,692 |
| Msinga | South Africa | 83.1 | 182,735 |
| Engcobo | South Africa | 82.6 | 159,899 |
| Umhlabuyalingana | South Africa | 82.3 | 160,830 |
| Intsika Yethu | South Africa | 81.8 | 149,077 |
| Port St Johns | South Africa | 81.8 | 166,676 |
| Ngqushwa | South Africa | 81.5 | 75,236 |
| Mtubatuba | South Africa | 80.9 | 202,176 |
| Bushbuckridge | South Africa | 80.2 | 546,654 |
| Makhuduthamaga | South Africa | 79.6 | 279,742 |
| Raymond Mhlaba | South Africa | 79.5 | 154,349 |
| Greater Taung | South Africa | 79.2 | 172,501 |
| Nkandla | South Africa | 79.1 | 118,172 |
| Dr JS Moroka | South Africa | 78.2 | 248,313 |
| Thembisile Hani | South Africa | 77.5 | 333,331 |
| uMzimvubu | South Africa | 77.2 | 202,342 |
| Mbhashe | South Africa | 77.1 | 270,068 |
| Thaba Chweu | South Africa | 72.3 | 102,633 |
| Mangaung | South Africa | 60.1 | 787,803 |
| Buffalo City | South Africa | 55.4 | 834,997 |
Images and Descriptions
Ntabankulu
Located in the Eastern Cape, this municipality has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, with a deeply rural population largely dependent on subsistence agriculture. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Formerly Mbizana, this Eastern Cape municipality on the Wild Coast is characterized by high unemployment and historical underdevelopment, contributing to its severe poverty levels. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Msinga
A deeply rural municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, Msinga faces significant challenges in service delivery and economic opportunities, resulting in widespread poverty among its residents. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Engcobo
This Eastern Cape municipality is marked by limited economic activity and a reliance on government grants and subsistence farming, reflecting high levels of structural poverty. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Umhlabuyalingana
Situated in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal, this area’s economy is underdeveloped, with few formal employment options, leading to extremely high poverty rates for its population. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Intsika Yethu
Another Eastern Cape municipality with severe poverty, Intsika Yethu struggles with a lack of infrastructure and job opportunities, leaving many households below the poverty line. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Port St Johns
Despite its natural beauty on the Wild Coast, Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape suffers from economic isolation and insufficient infrastructure, resulting in high poverty and unemployment. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Ngqushwa
Located in the Eastern Cape, this small municipality’s high poverty rate is driven by its rural nature, land degradation, and a historical lack of economic investment. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Mtubatuba
This municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, near rich conservation areas, still faces deep poverty due to a lack of diverse economic drivers and high unemployment among its residents. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Bushbuckridge
A large municipality in Mpumalanga, Bushbuckridge is characterized by dense, underdeveloped rural settlements and limited access to basic services and formal employment for its large population. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Makhuduthamaga
Situated in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune District, this area’s economy struggles to provide for its population, leading to one of the highest poverty concentrations in the province. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Raymond Mhlaba
Formed by the merger of Nkonkobe and Nxuba municipalities in the Eastern Cape, it contends with high unemployment and a legacy of underdevelopment, trapping many in poverty. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Greater Taung
This North West municipality is predominantly rural, with an economy centered on agriculture that fails to provide sufficient livelihoods, resulting in a very high poverty rate. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Nkandla
Famous for its political connections, this municipality in KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the poorest, with a scattered rural population and very limited economic activity or infrastructure. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Dr JS Moroka
Located in Mpumalanga, this municipality is characterized by its rural and semi-urban landscape with high unemployment rates and a significant dependency on social grants among households. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Thembisile Hani
Also in Mpumalanga, Thembisile Hani faces challenges of rapid urbanization without corresponding economic growth, leading to high poverty levels and inadequate service delivery for many. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
uMzimvubu
This Eastern Cape municipality, containing the towns of Mount Frere and Mount Ayliff, has a high poverty rate linked to its rural character and lack of formal job opportunities. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Mbhashe
Home to the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape, the municipality’s population faces extreme poverty due to economic isolation and a lack of basic services. Data is from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Thaba Chweu
Located in Mpumalanga, this area includes popular tourist towns but still has a high poverty rate, reflecting deep inequality between the tourism economy and local communities. Data from the Stats SA Community Survey (2016).
Mangaung
As a major metropolitan municipality including Bloemfontein, Mangaung’s poverty rate is lower than rural areas but still high, reflecting urban poverty and inequality within the city. Data from the South African Cities Network (2018 report).
Buffalo City
This coastal metropolitan area, which includes East London, has a significant poverty rate driven by high unemployment and the challenges of managing urban and peri-urban informal settlements. Data from the South African Cities Network (2018 report).
