South Africa Public Opinion Monitor: Causes of Poverty Survey Results

The South Africa Public Opinion Monitor (SAPOM) is a longitudinal panel of 2,526 opinion leaders from across South Africa that aims to provide an ongoing monitor of opinions and perspectives on the economic and social development of South Africa, and on South Africa’s place in the wider world. A particular sub-theme is South Africa’s relations with other emerging and developing economies in sub-Saharan Africa and globally. The current survey was undertaken in December 2013. Of the 2,526 members of the panel, 1,876 returned the fully completed questionnaire. A summary of the results is provided in the report. The focus of the current survey was poverty in South Africa. Panel members were asked about current levels of poverty in South Africa, how they expected the level of poverty to change looking to the future, and what factors they considered to be the major determinants of poverty in the country. The same questions were put to panels in Brazil and India, enabling comparisons to be made with other BRICS countries.