South Africa - Building Permits





South Africa: Building Permits

Mnemonic HPMT.IZAF
Unit Thousand Rands real, SA
Adjustments Seasonally Adjusted
Monthly 12.08 %
Data Dec 2023 5,596,530
Nov 2023 6,365,560

Series Information

Source Statistics South Africa (Statistics SA)
Release Building Statistics
Frequency Monthly
Start Date 1/31/1993
End Date 12/31/2023

South Africa: Real Estate

Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Building Permits Dec 2023 5,596,530 6,365,560 Thousand Rands real, SA Monthly
Non-residential Building Permits Dec 2023 1,163,500 1,244,785 Thousand Rands real, SA Monthly
Residential Building Permits Dec 2023 2,643,291 3,239,724 Thousand Rands real, SA Monthly

Release Information

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) conducts a monthly building statistics survey collecting information regarding building plans passed and buildings completed, financed by the private sector, from the largest local government institutions in South Africa. According to these institutions, they are not always notified about low-cost housing projects and therefore do not include the bulk of low-cost dwelling-houses.

Stats SA conducts a monthly survey of metropolitan municipalities and large local municipalities on building plans passed and buildings completed. An annual survey of the remaining municipalities is conducted regarding buildings completed. The monthly survey represents approximately 90 percent of the total value of buildings completed. Information regarding building plans passed and buildings completed for the private sector is collected by mail, fax and telephone.

In order to improve timeliness of the publication, some information for the current month has been estimated due to late submission by respondents. These estimates will be revised in the next statistical release(s) as soon as actual information is available.

The monthly survey data are used in monitoring the state of economy and formulation of economic policy. Furthermore, the results are important inputs to estimate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to calculate the Composite Leading Business Cycle Indicator.

The data are extensively used by the private sector.

This survey covers local government institutions conducting activities for the private sector regarding passing of building plans and final inspection of completed buildings. Building activities are classified in division 5 according to the 1993 edition of the Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities, (SIC) Fifth Edition, Report No. 09-90-02. The SIC is based on the 1990 International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities (ISIC) with suitable adaptations for local conditions.

Data is produced monthly, and is subject to revisions.

For more information, please see the Statistics SA’s Selected building statistics of the private sector as reported by local government institutions release.