Assessment and recommendations

Over the last two decades, South Africa has accomplished enormous social progress by bringing to millions of citizens access to key public services, notably education, health, housing and electricity. Enrolment in primary school is universal for both boys and girls. Almost 90% of households have access to piped water and 84% have access to electricity (Statistics South Africa, 2016). An ambitious policy of redistributive grants has also been put in place, lifting a large share of the population out of poverty. Its legal framework is well regarded and its judiciary is perceived as independent. The advanced banking system and deep financial markets have made South Africa a regional hub for financial services.