Country Coverage
South Africa

With a long-established track record as the continent’s largest financial platform and one of the world’s biggest mining producers, South Africa has significant economic clout in the region. The Rainbow Nation benefits from an internationally competitive private sector, which accounts for roughly 70% of GDP, 18% of which constitutes an informal sector. Government strategies have set a target of increasing labour market participation from 54% in 2010 to 65% by 2030, bringing the number of workers in the formal sector to 25.3m people and lowering unemployment from 25% to 6%. While its fiscal space is narrow, long-term investments in infrastructure, education and health are expected to be key to attaining its growth potential.