Household Affordability Index

May 2025 Household Affordability Index and Key Data

The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R46,29 (0,9%), from R5 420,30 in April 2025 to R5 466,59 in May 2025.

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April 2025 Household Affordability Index and Key Data

Year-on-year: The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R83,99 (1,6%), from R5 336,31 in April 2024 to R5 420,30 in April 2025.

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March 2025 Household Affordability Index and Key Data

The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R16,14 (0,3%), from R5 313,22 in February 2025 to R5 329,36 in March 2025.

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February 2025 Household Affordability Index and Key Data

On our calculations, using Pietermaritzburg-based figures for electricity and transport, and the average figure for a minimum nutritional basket of food for a family of four, puts electricity, and transport, taking up 59,9% of a worker’s wage

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January 2025 Household Affordability Index and Key Data

The National Minimum Wage is R27,58 an hour and R220,64 for an 8-hour day. In January 2025, with 22- working days, the maximum National Minimum Wage for a General Worker is R4 854,08.

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Published: November 2024

For Black South African workers, one wage typically must support 4 people. Dispersed in a worker’s family of 4 persons, the NMW, is R1 158,36 per person – this is below the upper-bound poverty line of R1 634 per person per month.