The number of people receiving grants has increased by 328% in 15 years, while those with jobs increased by only 24%.

This is according to the latest SA Survey published by the SA Institute of Race Relations.

The survey shows that in 2001 there were 12494000 employed people and 3993133 people receiving social grants, but 15 years later, there are more people receiving grants than there are people with jobs.

SAIRR analyst Gerbrandt van Heerden said: "The numbers are a recipe for social and political chaos. With South Africa formally in recession, the government will find it difficult to afford the cost of its social grants programme.

"As the economy stagnates, and tax revenue slows, demand for more grants will increase. The government will then have to cut other areas of expenditure in order to meet popular demands for more and higher grants. We predict that this will lead to much higher levels of violent protest action. .."