Cite this article: Zamokuhle Ndaba, Steven Henry Dunga and Precious Mncayi-Makhanya (2024). Analysing the multidimensional nature of poverty: a focus on housing insecurity in South Africa. International Journal Of Business and Development Studies, 16 (2), 269-293. DOI: 10.22111/ijbds.2024.50335.2168. © The Author(s). Publisher: University of Sistan and Baluchestan Analysing the multidimensional nature of poverty: a focus on housing insecurity in South Africa Zamokuhle Ndaba 1 Steven Henry Dunga 2 Precious Mncayi-Makhanya 3 1. Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa 2. Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, North- West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. E-mail: Steve.Dunga@nwu.ac.za 3. Corresponding Author, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. E-mail: Precious.Mncayi@nwu.ac.za ARTICLE INFO Abstract: Article type: Research Article history Received: 15.06.2024 Received: 21.11.2024 Accepted: 28.11.2024 Published: 06.12.2024 Keywords: Housing insecurity, Housing insecurity index, Poverty, Multidimensional poverty, South African Households JEL classification: E5, H2, C21 Objective: Housing satisfies crucial needs, as shown in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Be that as it may, the Sustainable Development Goals have one critical aspect missing in its 17 goals: achieving housing security for all. Goal 11 mentions urban settlement but fails to understand the concept of housing security. Over a billion people reside in slums and other informal settlements across the globe, and the number is expected to increase. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive, multidimensional, and validated instrument for measuring the extent of housing insecurity despite housing significantly impacting household’s health, economic, and psychological well-being. Methods: This study sought to apply and adopt a newly developed multidimensional household housing insecurity index (HHII), consisting of eight dimensions that respond to the lack of universally accepted measures of housing insecurity. This study used primary data with a sample size of 600 South African households collected in four types of areas in two provinces (Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal). Results: The findings indicated that merely 25% of households were deemed housing secure, in stark contrast to 75% facing varying levels of housing insecurity, from mild to severe. This concerning result highlights that, even after more than thirty years of democracy, housing remains a significant problem in South Africa. Conclusions: The study reveals that housing insecurity significantly impacts Black populations, with female heads of households in rural