By localnew 
JOHANNESBURG – KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been named the poorest province in South Africa, according to the revised Poverty Trends Report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday.
The report shows that at least 23 million people in the country are living in poverty, highlighting a deepening socioeconomic crisis that continues to affect millions.
KZN sits at the top of the list, with almost half of its population struggling to meet basic living standards. The province has long battled high unemployment, weak local economies, and persistent service-delivery challenges — all contributing to its worsening poverty levels.
Following KZN, the North West, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo also rank above the national poverty average, showing the highest concentrations of households facing severe financial hardship.
Stats SA says the findings underscore the urgent need for stronger economic interventions, improved governance, and targeted social support, especially in provinces where poverty has become deeply entrenched.