The 2030 Agenda acknowledges that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. The first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to end poverty in all its forms and reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty. In order to alleviate poverty in South Africa, Free Basic Services (FBS) was introduced in 2001 to provide free services such as water, electricity, sewerage and sanitation, and solid waste removal to the poorest households. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) conducts an annual non-financial census of municipalities, which measures selected aspects of service delivery such as water, electricity, sewerage and sanitation, and solid waste management. On 27 March 2025, Stats SA published data on free basic services in its Non-financial census of municipalities, 2023 (statistical release P9115). According to the findings, the municipalities provided water to 15,3 million consumer units in 2022, with 17% receiving the service for free (or at a subsidised rate). The number increased to 15,8 million consumer units in 2023.

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