The impact of educational attainment on household poverty in South Africa

Abstract

English: This article investigates the relationship between the educational attainment of the household head and household poverty in South Africa. The results indicate a clear negative relationship between education and poverty. Households in which the head has a low level of education are more likely to be poor compared to a household where the head has a higher level of education. Literacy of the household head is also inversely related to household poverty. Rural and black households are the most vulnerable, with distinct differences between the province of residence. Despite large resource allocation towards education, educational outcomes have not improved. This raises questions concerning the lack of association between resource allocation and educational outcomes.

Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel bestudeer die verband tussen die vlak van opvoeding van die huishoof en huishoudelike armoede in Suid-Afrika. Die resultate toon ’n duidelike negatiewe verband tussen opvoeding en armoede. Huishoudings waar die hoof oor ’n lae vlak van opvoeding beskik is meer geneig om arm te wees relatief tot huishoudings waar die hoof ’n hoër vlak van opvoeding het. Geletterdheid van die huishoof is ook negatief verwant met huishoudelike armoede. Landelike en swart huishoudings is die mees vatbaar, met verskille tussen provinsies. Ten spyte van ’n groot allokasie van hulpbronne vir onderwys, het onderwys uitkomste nie verbeter nie. Dit vra vrae oor die afwesigheid van ’n verband tussen hulpbronallokasie en onderwysuitkomste.