The value of building plans approved in South Africa rebounded by 5.8% year-on-year to ZAR 9332 million in November 2025, following an upwardly revised 6.9% decline in October. This was the highest level for a November month since 2023, as permits increased for both residential projects (14.9% vs -7.6%) and additions & alterations (7% vs 4.4%). On the other hand, approvals for the non-residential segment continued to shrink (-16.4% vs -16.1%) source: Statistics South Africa

Building Permits in South Africa decreased to 9331745 ZAR Thousand in November from 9587380 ZAR Thousand in October of 2025. Building Permits in South Africa averaged 4195272.52 ZAR Thousand from 1981 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 12307680.00 ZAR Thousand in June of 2023 and a record low of 218553.00 ZAR Thousand in December of 1985. This page provides - South Africa Building Plans Passed- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Building Plans Passed - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on February of 2026.

Building Permits in South Africa decreased to 9331745 ZAR Thousand in November from 9587380 ZAR Thousand in October of 2025. Building Permits in South Africa is expected to be 7500000.00 ZAR Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Building Plans Passed is projected to trend around 7900000.00 ZAR Thousand in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-11 12:30 PM
Building Permits YoY
Oct -6.9% 2% 1.6%
2026-01-22 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Nov 5.8% -6.8% 2.1%
2026-02-19 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Dec 5.8% -8.0%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Building Permits YoY 9331745.00 9587380.00 ZAR Thousand Nov 2025
Housing Index 121.30 120.60 points Aug 2025
Price to Rent Ratio 101.29 101.36 Jun 2025
Residential Property Prices 5.80 5.60 Percent Aug 2025


South Africa Building Plans Passed
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. The monthly survey represents approximately 90 percent of the total value of buildings completed. The statistical unit for the collection of information is a local government institution. Local government institutions include district municipalities, metropolitan municipalities and local municipalities.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
9331745.00 9587380.00 12307680.00 218553.00 1981 - 2025 ZAR Thousand Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Building Plans Recover in November
The value of building plans approved in South Africa rebounded by 5.8% year-on-year to ZAR 9332 million in November 2025, following an upwardly revised 6.9% decline in October. This was the highest level for a November month since 2023, as permits increased for both residential projects (14.9% vs -7.6%) and additions & alterations (7% vs 4.4%). On the other hand, approvals for the non-residential segment continued to shrink (-16.4% vs -16.1%)
2026-01-22
South Africa Building Plans Decline
The value of building plans approved in South Africa sank 6.9% year-on-year to ZAR 9572 million in October 2025, following an upwardly revised 2% increase in September. It marks the first annual decline in three months, with permits for non-residential buildings sinking 16.1% and those for residential declining 7.7%.
2025-12-11
South Africa Building Plans Rise for 2nd Month
The value of building plans approved in South Africa rose 0.3% year-on-year to ZAR 9650 million in September 2025, following a revised 2.1% increase in August, marking the second consecutive monthly rise. Permits increased for non-residential buildings (22.1% vs 29.3% in August) and additions and alterations (7.6% vs -20.5%), but declined for the residential segment (-13% vs 2.9%).
2025-11-20