Macro Review

The Macro Review is a monthly report providing insight into the current trends shaping a specific social, environmental, economic, or political risk in South Africa. This report unpacks the numbers to indicate how political risks are evolving, and the way in which this may impact the business environment and social stability in South Africa.

SA Education and the 4IR Illusion

This edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis looks at South Africa’s education system, and how the school environment is unable to prepare pupils for an increasingly tech-driven world.

Publication description

This report looks at:

Basic and post-school education spending
Public and private school enrolment
Grade 12 maths and science results
Post-school participation and outcomes
Education and the world of work

Not enough pie to go around

23 February 2024 - The latest edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis unpacks the 2024/25 National Budget and identifies the long-term risks to South Africa's public finances.

Publication description

This report looks at:

South Africa's fiscal trajectory
Government revenue and expenditure levels
National debt and debt service costs
The tax base
Emerging fiscal risks

South Africa’s Quality of Life

January 2024 - The latest edition of the Macro Review updates the Quality of Life Index (QOLI) developed by the Centre for Risk Analysis (CRA).

Publication description

The report includes a comprehensive analysis of:

The standard of living in South Africa based on 10 weighted indicators.
The quality of life across South Africa's nine provinces.
The quality of life across South Africa's four main racial groups.

South Africa in brief

December 2023 - The latest edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis looks at South Africa across a range of political, economic and social indicators.

Publication description

This report looks at:

SA's population profile and living conditions
The economy and government finances
Education and the labour market
Business and infrastructure indicators
Health and welfare snippets
Crime levels and public opinion

South Africa’s demographic profile

8 December 2023 - The latest edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis provides an overview of demographic trends in South Africa.

Publication description

This report looks at:

SA's population profile
Migration and urbanisation
Dependency on welfare and the employed

On the dole: SA's welfare woes

October 2023 - The latest edition of the Macro Review from the Centre For Risk Analysis provides an overview of South Africa's welfare system.

Publication description

This report looks at:

Social grant numbers and recipients
Welfare distribution trends
The Social Relief of Distress grant
Social grant dependency
Welfare financing