FX.co ★ South Africa Building Plans Fall Less in July

In July 2025, the value of building plans approved in South Africa decreased by 4.7% compared to the previous year, amounting to ZAR 9,022 million. This follows a downwardly revised decline of 12.5% in the previous month. This was the second month in a row where there was a decline, although the rate of decline slowed, mainly due to a reduction in the non-residential sector (-25.2% compared to -48.3% in June). Conversely, there were increases in the approval of permits for both residential projects, which rose by 3.3% compared to a 2.5% increase in June, and for additions and alterations, which saw a 3.2% rise compared to a 2.1% increase previously.