Addressing poverty has been a critical objective. The economic growth of the country since 2004 has enabled an increase in public expenditure by over 9% per annum since 2004 on services, such as housing, education, income support and primary health. The Expanded Public Works Programme created 854 406 job opportunities nationally. The programme aimed to create 1 112 000 jobs by September 2007. This meant that programme achieved a 77% implementation rate.