2022

South Africa in Brief

December 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) looks at South Africa across a range of political, economic, and social indicators.

Publication description

The report looks at:

  •  SA's population profile and living conditions
  • The economy and government finances
  • Education and the labour market
  • Business and infrastructure indicators 
  • Health and welfare snippets 
  • Crime levels and public opinion

Welfare State: Social grants in South Africa

November 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) provides an overview of South Africa’s welfare system.

Publication description

The report looks at:

  •  Social grant recipients 
  • Welfare distribution
  • The Social Relief of Distress grant
  • Social grant dependency
  • The financing of welfare

South Africa's Elusive Demographic Dividend

October 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) provides an overview of demographic trends in South Africa.

Publication description

The report looks at:

  • SA's population profile
  • Life expectancy and fertility rates
  • Births and deaths
  • Dependency ratios
  • Migration and urbanisation

Out Of A Job: SA's Great Crisis

September 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) looks at South Africa’s unabating unemployment crisis.

Publication description

  • Trends in unemployment and labour absorption
  • Employment levels after the Covid-19 lockdowns
  • The likelihood of young people finding work
  • Living standards and ANC support
  • Dependency on grants

South Africa's Crime Epidemic

August 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) looks at South Africa’s national crime trends, the cost of violence, and anti-crime strategies.

Publication description

This report looks at: 

  • Trends in violent crime
  • Growing public frustration in themidst of rising crime
  • The economic impact of crime
  • Policingand alternative security measures
  • Prospects of decentralising the police

Municipal Malaise

July 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) reviews the state of municipalities in South Africa, focusing on the political and socio-economic implications of persistent local government failures.

Publication description

This report explores:

  • The state of municipal finances.
  • How basic service delivery is faltering across South Africa.
  • What is the impact on businesses and households in local communities?
  • What should be done to improve business confidence and restore municipal performance?

Dark days for South Africa

June 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) looks at South Africa’s electricity generation capacity and how disruptions impact the country’s economic performance.

Publication description

This report explores: 

  • Eskom's capacity constraints 
  • The energy utility's growing debt burden
  • How reliable electricity supply is critical for economic growth
  • How viable is renewable energy?

Siege Economy: SA Trade

May 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA) utilises South African trade indicators to lift the lid on the country’s current trade landscape and analyse the risks that could impact the country’s future exports and imports.

Publication description

The report includes data and analysis of:

  • Trends in SA's current account balance
  • Merchandise exports and imports
  • SA'schief merchandise trading partners
  • Currencies and commodities
  • The risks of trade protectionism

SA’s Investment conundrum

April 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review tracks foreign investment in South Africa and South African investment offshore over the short, medium, and long term.

Publication description

The report includes data and analysis of:

  • Annual change in Real Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) 
  • Public and private investment
  • GFCF by economic activity
  • Foreign liabilities and foreign assets
  • Bonds and equities”

SA's Education and Skills Mismatch

March 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review unpacks the quality of South Africa's education system and the skills deficit in the country.

Publication description

The report includes data and analysis of:

  • Education expenditure
  • Enrolment in public and independent schools
  • Facilities and amenities
  • Matric results and throughput rates
  • Higher education participation
  • The growing skills deficit in SA

Budget 2022 and Beyond: The calm before the storm?

February 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis, unpacks the 2022/23 National Budget.

Publication description

The report includes data and analysis of:

  • South Africa's fiscal trajectory
  • Government revenue and expenditure levels
  • National debt and debt service costs
  • Increased inflationary pressures
  • Global volatility and the impact on South Africa
  • Lack of political will for growth-enhancing reforms

South Africa’s Quality of Life

January 2022 - This edition of the Macro Review tracks South Africa’s progress in improving the quality of life of its residents, and draws comparisons between the country’s nine provinces as well as the different race groups.

Publication description

The report includes a comprehensive analysis of:

  • The standard of living in South Africa based on 10 weighted indicators.
  • The quality of life across South Africa's nine provinces.  
  • The quality of life across South Africa's four main racial groups.