Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - July 17, 2008
The publication provides "evidence-based pointers" on the impact of government programmes on the lives of South Africans and is published on an annual basis.
According to the document, income inequality has increased because the income of the richest 10% of the population has increased at a faster rate than the rest of the country.
The percentage of the population earning below R462 (2007 rand prices) decreased from 58% in 2000 to 48% in 2005.
Since 1996, nine million people have been lifted out of poverty and more than 12-million now receive social grants.
About 2,5-million subsidised houses have been completed or are in progress, providing shelter to 8,8-million people.
Altogether, 87,2% of households have access to water at the RDP standard or above, compared with 61% in 1994; 73% have access to sanitation [50% in 1994], and 72% have access to electricity [51% in 1994].
On health matters, the document says different measures of life expectancy show it to have fallen since 2000, seemingly linked to HIV/Aids.
Immunisation coverage has reached 85% and the number of malaria cases dropped markedly.
Severe malnutrition among children under five years has been reduced by more than 60%.
While the rate of increase of HIV prevalence has slowed, there has been a rapid increase in tuberculosis cases since 2001.
Gross enrolment at primary school level is at about 98% and adult literacy is increasing.
Unemployment has decreased from 31,2% in March 2003 to 23% in September 2007.
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