According to recent figures from Statistics SA (Stats SA), nearly 40% of the population received some form of social assistance in 2024, more than triple the 12.8% recorded in 2002.

The latest unemployment data paints a bleak picture, with the official jobless rate currently standing at 32.9%. As employment opportunities remain scarce, many households are increasingly reliant on government support to get by.

Statistician-General Risenga Maluleka says social grants have become a key source of income for millions. “The percentage of households that relied on social grants as their main income grew steadily from 21.3% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2020,” he explained. “That figure dropped slightly to 23.8% in 2024.”

Maluleka noted that the surge in 2020 was largely due to government interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency grants were introduced to cushion vulnerable South Africans from income loss as the country faced lockdowns and economic uncertainty.

Although the number of households solely dependent on grants dipped post-pandemic, the overall trend remains concerning. Maluleka warns that without significant economic reforms and job creation efforts, SA’s reliance on social support will likely persist.

--ChannelAfrica--