The launch of the Decent Standard of Living report marked a significant step towards understanding poverty and inequality’s impact on people’s lives in South Africa. The findings highlighted both positive trends and ongoing challenges in achieving a decent standard of living for all, while the discussions provided insights into the complexities of poverty reduction and policy development.

UNICEF and the Social Policy Initiative in collaboration with several partner organisations launched the Decent Standard of Living report, highlighting the findings on possession of the socially perceived necessities in 2022.

This research presents a Decent Standard of Living (DSL) and a DSL Index (DSLI) for South Africa. It is based on a concept for relative poverty that focuses on the ability of people to achieve a socially determined acceptable standard of living to enable them to participate fully in society.

This policy brief provides a synopsis of the most salient discussion through the four presentations that were delivered at the Social Dialogue, which will form the foundation for future national discussions and debates.

On 27 September 2013, Studies in Poverty and Inequality (SPII) and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) held the first consultative team meeting to discuss a National Minimum Living Level. The meeting was held at NEDLAC House, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Presenters and individuals that attended the meeting have an interest in a Minimum Living and were advocating for it in their respective institutions.