New data reveals that minimum wage earners in South Africa cannot afford to feed their families after paying for transport and electricity, with a 51% shortfall on basic nutritional food requirements in June.
The June 2026 Household Affordability Index from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group shows that workers earning the national minimum wage of R5 078,64 per month are left with just R1 880,79 after paying for transport and electricity – far short of the R3 836,78 needed to feed a family of four.
Transport and electricity now consume 63% of a minimum wage worker’s salary, with transport alone accounting for nearly 40% at R2 016 following recent taxi fare increases across major centres.
The research, which tracked prices of 44 basic foods from 52 supermarkets and 36 butcheries across seven South African regions, found that the average household food basket cost R5 502,42 in June.
Transport costs cripple household budgets
Taxi fares increased by between R2 and R5 in all tracked areas between March 2026 and June 2026, with Pietermaritzburg fares jumping 20% from R20 to R24. Workers typically take two taxis to work and back, costing R96 per day or R2 016 per month.
After setting aside R1 181,85 for electricity and R2 016 for transport, workers have R1 880,79 remaining. When divided among a family of four, this provides just R470,20 per person per month for food – 45% below the national food poverty line of R855 per person.
The national minimum wage of R30,23 per hour translates to R241,84 for an eight-hour day and R5 078,64 for a 21-day working month. However, this wage typically supports four people in black South African households, meaning R1 269,66 per capita – below both the national upper-bound poverty line of R2 846 and the lower-bound poverty line of R1 415 per capita per month.
Food prices show mixed movements
The household food basket increased by R23,15 (0,4%) month-on-month from R5 479,26 in May to R5 502,42 in June. Year-on-year, the basket rose R59,29 (1,1%) from R5 443,12 in June 2025.
Of the 44 foods tracked, 24 increased in price while 20 decreased. Vegetables showed significant increases with onions up 17%, carrots up 15%, tomatoes up 9% and green pepper up 8%. Chicken feet rose 6% and chicken livers 5%.
Some foods decreased, with oranges down 18% and bananas down 7%. Maize meal, potatoes, frozen chicken portions, wors and polony all decreased by 2% to 4%.
Regional variations showed food baskets increasing in Durban (R64,86), Cape Town (R75,29), Springbok (R133,98) and Mtubatuba (R25,18), while decreasing in Johannesburg (R9,99), Pietermaritzburg (R122,51) and Mthatha (R85,08).
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Child support grant falls short
The child support grant of R580 per month remains 32% below the national food poverty line and 41% below the R977,52 average monthly cost to feed a child a basic nutritious diet.
The cost to feed a child increased R10,43 (1,1%) month-on-month and R6,63 (0,7%) year-on-year.
Nutritional gap widens
The research highlights a critical gap between what families can afford and what they need for proper nutrition. The basic nutritional food basket, designed by a registered dietician, costs R6 705,31 for a household of seven – R1 202,89 (18%) more than the household food basket of R5 502,42.
This means families living on low incomes underspend on basic nutritional food by a minimum of 18%, with significant implications for household health and wellbeing.
The index tracked prices in Johannesburg (Soweto, Alexandra, Tembisa and Hillbrow), Durban (KwaMashu, Umlazi, Isipingo, Durban CBD, Hammarsdale and Pinetown), Cape Town (Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Philippi, Langa, Delft and Dunoon), Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg, Springbok and Mtubatuba.
Statistics South Africa’s consumer price index for May showed headline inflation at 4,5%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation at 1,9% year-on-year. The producer price index showed agriculture at -7,4%.
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