The value of building plans approved in South Africa dropped by 13.3% year-on-year to ZAR 7,496 million in June 2025, following a 13.2% jump in the prior month. The decline was largely driven by the non-residential segment, which dropped 48.6% compared with a 4% fall previously. Additions and alterations fell slightly by 0.1% versus a 52.1% increase in May, while residential approvals rose 2.4%, down from 3.4% the previous month. source: Statistics South Africa

Building Permits in South Africa decreased to 7495668 ZAR Thousand in June from 9210282 ZAR Thousand in May of 2025. Building Permits in South Africa averaged 4146375.36 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 September of 2025.

Building Permits in South Africa decreased to 7495668 ZAR Thousand in June from 9210282 ZAR Thousand in May of 2025. Building Permits in South Africa is expected to be 9700000.00 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 750000.00 ZAR Thousand in 2026 and 770000.00 ZAR Thousand in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-07-17 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
May 13.2% -20.7% -12.0%
2025-08-21 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Jun -13.3% 13.2% 18.0%
2025-09-18 11:00 AM
Building Permits YoY
Jul -13.3% -12.0%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Building Permits YoY 7495668.00 9210282.00 ZAR Thousand Jun 2025
Housing Index 118.80 118.20 points Mar 2025
Price to Rent Ratio 101.29 101.36 Jun 2025
Residential Property Prices 5.20 5.10 Percent Mar 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
7495668.00 9210282.00 12307680.00 218553.00 1981 - 2025 ZAR Thousand Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Building Plans Slip in June
The value of building plans approved in South Africa dropped by 13.3% year-on-year to ZAR 7,496 million in June 2025, following a 13.2% jump in the prior month. The decline was largely driven by the non-residential segment, which dropped 48.6% compared with a 4% fall previously. Additions and alterations fell slightly by 0.1% versus a 52.1% increase in May, while residential approvals rose 2.4%, down from 3.4% the previous month.
2025-08-21
South Africa Building Plans Rebound in May
The value of building plans approved in South Africa rose by 13.2% year-on-year to ZAR 9,210 million in May 2025, ending a three-month downturn. Increases were seen in permits for additions and alterations (52.1% vs 2.6% in April) and residential buildings (3.4% vs -19.6%), contrasting with a decline in permits for non-residential buildings (-4% vs -42.4%).
2025-07-17
South Africa Building Permits Fall Sharply in April
The value of building plans approved in South Africa slumped by 20.8% year-on-year to ZAR 7,271.8 million in April 2025, following a revised 4.6% drop in the previous month. This marked the sharpest fall since January, amid significant declines in permits for non-residential buildings (-42.5% vs -17.3% in March) and residential buildings (-19.5% vs +2.6%). In contrast, approvals for additions and alterations rose by 2%, rebounding from a 6.4% decrease in the prior month.
2025-06-19