The Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII)) is an independent research think tank that focuses on generating knowledge, information and analysis in the field of poverty and inequality studies. The working paper forms part of the ‘Monitoring the progressive realisation of socio-economic rights’ project conducted by SPII with support of the Foundation for Human Rights and endorsement from the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies of the University of the Western Cape, and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The objective of this project through the combination of policy and budget analysis and statistical indicators is to provide a comprehensive framework and set of tools to monitor the progressive realisation of socio-economic rights. We hope that this will be a useful tool for policymakers, for those that exercise oversight over the executive, including Parliament and Chapter Nine Institutions (notably the SAHRC) and civil society.