Brief description of its relationship with SDG-1

South Africa possesses one of the highest wealth inequality rates (Gini coefficients) in the world. It shows that overall national GDP does not mean poverty is eradicated if historical and structural inequalities persist. (Sulla et al., 2022)

South Africa faces major ongoing challenges, with progress on SDG 1 often stagnating or advancing at less than half the required pace. The country remains strongly committed to SDG 1 (No Poverty), embedding its objectives within the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. A central pillar of this strategy is South Africa’s extensive social‑protection system, designed to support vulnerable groups and advance the targets under SDG 1.2. 

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Despite having strong social‑protection programmes—such as child‑support grants and pensions for the elderly—South Africa continues to face major obstacles, including high unemployment, the economic impacts of COVID‑19, and deep structural inequality. Meeting SDG 1 targets will require sustained efforts to promote job creation and inclusive growth. The country’s strategy focuses on eradicating extreme poverty and reducing overall poverty by 2030 through expanded social protection, policy reforms, and data‑driven targeting. A particularly important initiative is the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which aims to ensure that South Africa’s shift toward a low‑carbon economy generates equitable economic opportunities and supports vulnerable communities.  

LIST OF REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS

United Nations in South Africa. (n.d.-a). United Nations in South Africa. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from  https://southafrica.un.org/en

United Nations in South Africa. (n.d.-b). Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://southafrica.un.org/en/sdgs/1

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division. (n.d.). SDG country profile: South Africa. United Nations. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/zaf

Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (2026). South Africa. Sustainable Development Report 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026, from https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/south-africa/

National Planning Commission. (n.d.). National Development Plan: Vision 2030. Republic of South Africa. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.nationalplanningcommission.org.za/National_Development_Plan

Presidential Climate Commission. (n.d.). Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://justenergytransition.co.za/

Sulla, V., Zikhali, P., & Cuevas, P. F. (2022). Inequality in Southern Africa: An assessment of the Southern African Customs Union (Report No. 169233). World Bank Group. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099125303072236903