South Africa Building Plans Decline

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%)

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%.

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%).