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Are we really as poor as we think we are?

Limpopo's objective poverty: a stark reality

By Anton van Zyl • 4 March 2026
Are we really as poor as we think we are?

A new report redefines Limpopo's poverty by considering both objective measures and residents' self-perception. While objectively poor, Limpopo households spend more than the national average, yet a significant portion perceive themselves as poor.

Limpopo province is often described as one of the poorest provinces in the country. Thousands of families survive on government grants, and unemployment is rife. But are we really that poor?

A newly released report by Statistics South Africa (SSA) looks at poverty in a slightly different way, telling us far more about what is really happening in Limpopo. How many residents believe they are poor, as opposed to simply earning less than a minimum income guideline?

In this SSA report,...

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