The cost of living in SA and what it takes to survive
South Africa's inflation has been a challenge, but here's the reality.
Let’s be real: hard work doesn’t always pay off as it should here. A full-time income often doesn’t cover the essentials- from food to electricity, transport to stability.
Imagine clocking in, doing the 9 - 5, and still feeling like you’re climbing uphill to stay afloat.
According to fresh insights from the Living Wage South Africa Network and PMBEJD., the basic cost of living for the "essentials" is estimated to be around R6,778 - R15,000/month.
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To cover essentials and not just survive, a single person needs between R6,778 and R15,000 per month.
BusinessTech, as of March 2025, a full-time worker earns roughly R5,297 monthly at a rate of R28.79/hour, still falling around R1,500 short of even the most conservative estimates.
Experts say R10,750 to R15,000/month can cover essentials and gives you some breathing room. Essentials include; food, transport, electricity, housing, healthcare, and maybe even childcare or emergency savings
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In a four-person household, that wage drops to R1,324 per person per month, well below the upper-bound poverty line of R1,634.
As a result, millions of South Africans are technically “employed”, yet still trapped in poverty - a “poverty wage” that makes financial security feel like chasing a dream.
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On a positive note, studies show that workers earning a livelier wage are happier, more energised, and more productive, with fewer sick days and more workplace spirit.
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A quick overview
Decent wage: You need R6,350 to R15,000 per month, depending on what “decent” means to you.
Benchmark: R15,000/month, based on a national quality-of-life survey, what real people say it takes to live with dignity, handle surprises, and have some savings for a rainy day.
- Minimum 1: R6,350/month: the barebones dignity threshold
- Minimum 2: R10,750–R15,000: practical for dignity and essentials
- Target: R15,000/month: the “living wage” that lets you truly survive
The minimum wage, by contrast, is around R4,600/month, and leaves a gaping hole between reality and what most folks need.
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