The Basic Needs Basket is a monthly survey of the cost of essential food and non- food items that comprise the items that a low income family in both rural and urban areas across the nine provinces of South Africa consider to be basic necessities.

With the estimated income for a single black South African at R2900, spread across a household of 3.9 people, the cost of living is proving to be unaffordable. The Basic Needs Basket is a monthly survey of the cost of essential food and non-food items that comprise the items that a low income family in both rural and urban areas across the nine provinces of South Africa deem necessary.