Profiling Livelihood Assets in South Africa
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the dynamics of poverty, unemployment and inequality within South Africa. This will be undertaken by means of a detailed secondary analysis of inequalities and dynamics in livelihoods assets using existing micro-data. In so doing, the following research questions will be explored: - What livelihood assets are absent or exist across the different segments of our society (socio-economic strata) such as race, class, geographic location? In other words, how do we identify the pockets of the South African population that is vulnerable?
Is there a relationship between the various livelihoods assets? For example, do people with low levels of Human Capital (low health and low nutrition status) also display low levels of Physical Capital (poor access to transport, services such as water sanitation). - Are those people with jobs or some form of income (higher levels of financial capital) better off than those without income? Are low levels of capital associated with low socio-economic status?
- What strategies have those identified as vulnerable (for example, those with low levels of social capital and or low levels of financial capital) developed or used to secure a livelihood?
- Are vulnerable groups such as the poor, women, and youth, unemployed and rural dwellers low on all forms of capital or only certain types of capital?
We aim to examine these research questions through the use of empirical evidence and translating it into tangible policy recommendations.
