2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

8.3 POVERTY8.3.1 Number of People in PovertyPoverty is defined as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amountof money or material possessions. This variable indicates the number of people thatlack the goods and services commonly taken for granted by members of mainstreamsociety. In 1996 the figure for the district stood at 328,661 people, while in 2009 thefigure was 316,228 people. In terms of 2011 figures at 280 000 people are faced withthe scourge of poverty.In terms of percentages, in 1996 71.2% of residents of the district lived in poverty,while in 2009 66.3% lived in poverty. This figure peaked at 79.9% in 2002. Currentlythe number of people living in poverty has decreased to at least 60% in 2011. Thisnotable improvement can be directly or indirectly attributed to a number of governmentinterventions including access to social grants.The Umzinyathi District Municipality in 2009 was well above the national average forthe number of people living in poverty.Figure 39: Number of People Living in Poverty (1996 – 2011)Source : Global Insight of SA (1996 – 2011)Draft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 121Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013