Determinants of employment status and its relationship to poverty in bophelong township

Abstract

The paper analyzed the factors that determine the employment status of households in Bophelong Township. Factors such as the level of education, age, gender, marital status and labour force were analyzed to determine their influence on the employment status of the households of Bophelong Township. The employment status was then analyzed to see its relationship to the poverty status amongst the households. The paper used aggregate income of households to determine the status of households with regard to poverty. A logistic regression was used to estimate the determinants of employment status. Of the hypothesised determinants, education level, age, marital status, household labour force and total government grants were found to be significant determinants of employment status. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between employment status and poverty status, with those employed having a better chance of escaping poverty.