South Africa Economic Snapshot
Economic Forecast Summary (June 2023)
Economic Outlook Note - South Africa
GDP growth is projected to slow to 0.3% in 2023 before picking up to 1% in 2024. Investment will become a much-needed driver of growth as the energy crisis requires additional power generation capacity. Higher interest rates and inflation are denting consumption, while electricity outages and lower global growth are weighing on exports.
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Read full country noteEconomic Survey of South Africa - August 2022
The COVID‑19 crisis has weakened an already fragile economy. South Africa’s growth underperformed during the past decade: GDP per capita was already lower in 2019 than in 2008. Unemployment remains high, at around 35%, and youth unemployment even exceeds 50%. In the meantime, spending pressures are mounting to close the financing gap in health, infrastructure and higher education. To finance those needs while putting public finances on a more sustainable path, which is key to restore confidence, spending efficiency should improve and be accompanied with increased government tax revenues.
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Reform Priorities (April 2021)
Going for Growth 2021 - South Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of workers to lose their jobs, while the number of discouraged workers increased. Investment has been on a downward path already before the crisis, marred by policy uncertainty, and lack of essential infrastructure. Regulatory restrictions in many areas are a threat to the recovery. Stronger growth is needed to place the government debt trajectory on a sustainable path and to finance large unmet needs in education, health and social spending.
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