The value of building plans approved in South Africa rose by 0.2% year-on-year to ZAR 6275 million in January 2026, following a 14.3% decline in the prior month. Permits rebounded for non-residential buildings (27.7% vs -46% in December), but decreased for additions and alterations (-15.5% vs -12.5%) and residential projects (-1.1% vs 3.7%). source: Statistics South Africa

Building Permits in South Africa increased to 6275341 ZAR Thousand in January from 6002428 ZAR Thousand in December of 2025. Building Permits in South Africa averaged 4202390.54 ZAR Thousand from 1981 until 2026, 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 April of 2026.

Building Permits in South Africa increased to 6275341 ZAR Thousand in January from 6002428 ZAR Thousand in December 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
2026-02-19 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Dec -14.3% 5.7% -8.0%
2026-03-19 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Jan 0.2% -14.3% -12.7%
2026-04-23 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Feb 0.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Building Permits YoY 6275341.00 6002428.00 ZAR Thousand Jan 2026
Housing Index 123.10 122.20 points Oct 2025
Price to Rent Ratio 101.27 101.35 points Jun 2025
Residential Property Prices 6.80 6.30 Percent Oct 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
6275341.00 6002428.00 12307680.00 218553.00 1981 - 2026 ZAR Thousand Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Building Permits Rebound Slightly
The value of building plans approved in South Africa rose by 0.2% year-on-year to ZAR 6275 million in January 2026, following a 14.3% decline in the prior month. Permits rebounded for non-residential buildings (27.7% vs -46% in December), but decreased for additions and alterations (-15.5% vs -12.5%) and residential projects (-1.1% vs 3.7%).
2026-03-19
South Africa Building Plans Plummet in December
The value of building plans approved in South Africa slipped by 14.3% year-on-year to ZAR 6002 million in December 2025, marking the steepest decline since April 2025, after a revised 5.7% rise in November. Decreases were seen in permits for non-residential buildings (-46%) and additions & alterations (-12.4%), contrasting with a 3.7% increase for residential buildings. In 2025, the value of plans passed dropped by 2.6% to approximately 99066 million.
2026-02-19
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