Factors influencing household vulnerability to poverty in informal settlements of a metropolitan municipality

This dataset and accompanying analysis explore household vulnerability to poverty in the informal settlements of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (Pretoria), South Africa—specifically Atteridgeville, Nellmapius, and Olievenhoutbosch. Vulnerability refers to the risk of falling into poverty due to various socio-economic and environmental factors, even when a household is not currently impoverished. Primary data were collected from 366 households through stratified random sampling using a structured questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), while the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure was used to assess the relationship between household income and vulnerability. A modified Poisson regression model was applied to identify key determinants associated with increased or reduced vulnerability.

Key findings include:

• Positive associations with vulnerability were found for: having more children under five, being unemployed and not actively seeking work, being a household breadwinner, exposure to sinkholes, and frequent electricity interruptions.
• Negative associations were observed for: larger household size and having a household member who completed matric (secondary school).
• Non-significant factors included gender, age, marital status, house ownership, access to healthcare, social grants, agricultural support, and social networks.
• The study provides evidence to inform targeted policy interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability to poverty in urban informal settlements in South Africa.