OECD's 2013 Economic Survey of South Africa examines recent economic developments, policies and prospects. Special chapters cover improving education quality and green growth.

OECD's 2013 Economic Survey of South Africa examines recent economic developments, policies and prospects. Special chapters cover improving education quality and green growth.

The COVID-19 outbreak is worsening an already fragile economic outlook. Since 2013, growth has been modest and unemployment has been rising. Policy uncertainty has been the main driver of low confidence and subdued investment. Following a sharp fiscal deterioration in recent years, the crisis also heightened debt sustainability challenges.

- Basic statistics of South Africa, latest available year (Numbers in parentheses refer to the OECD average) - Executive summary - Assessment and recommendations - Progress in main structural reforms - Deepening regional integration within the Southern African Development Community - Lowering barriers to entrepreneurship and promoting small business growth - Export products in SADC - Estimates of determinants of trade flows - Participation in Global Value Chains - Road infrastructure needs in SADC - Detailed information on taxes - Determinants of entrepreneurial activity

Over the last two decades, South Africa has accomplished enormous social progress by bringing to millions of citizens access to key public services. Nevertheless, growth has trended down markedly recently due to constraints on the supply side. Low growth has led to the stagnation of GDP per ...

OECD's first review of South Africa's economy. After a general overview of recent economic developments and programmes, this survey examines key challenges including reforming goods and services markets and realising South Africa's employment ...

Over the last two decades, South Africa has accomplished enormous social progress by bringing to millions of citizens access to key public services. Nevertheless, growth has trended down markedly recently due to constraints on the supply side. Low growth has led to the stagnation of GDP per capita, and persistent high unemployment and inequalities. The economy faces many structural challenges while high inflation limits room for monetary policy support and high public debt constrains public spending. South Africa needs structural reforms that would boost the potential of the economy, in particular, broadening competition, limiting the size and grip of state-owned enterprises on the economy, and improving the quality of the education system. Greater regional integration could provide new opportunities for growth by expanding market size. South African firms are well placed to benefit from deeper integration. However, lowering tariffs and non-tariffs barriers on trade, developing regional infrastructure and harmonising regulations are needed to foster regional integration. More entrepreneurs and thriving small businesses would contribute to inclusive growth and job creation. Barriers to entrepreneurship include bureaucratic procedures and licensing, which are also an ongoing burden on small firms. An education system that better equippes students with basic and entrepreneurial skills would grow the pipeline of entrepreneurs. A better evidence base is crucial for more effective financial and non-financial support programmes to boost start-up rates and small firms’ growth. SPECIAL FEATURES: DEEPENING REGIONAL INTEGRATION; BOOSTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP