• Version
• Download
• File Size 247.59 KB
• File Count 1
• Create Date November 20, 2025
• Last Updated November 20, 2025

Provincial Gross Domestic Product vs Construction 1995 - 2022 (Preliminary)

Stronger Provincial GDP Framework Leaves Major Gaps in Measuring Infrastructure Activity

Preliminary provincial GGP data for 2022 show that Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape remain the dominant contributors to national economic activity, with all three recording above-average real GDP growth compared to the smaller inland provinces. Construction GVA, however, displays far more muted and uneven provincial outcomes, with the Western Cape and Gauteng showing relatively stronger construction activity—largely reflecting robust private-sector building markets—while provinces such as the Free State, North West and Mpumalanga continue to underperform. KwaZulu-Natal recorded moderate construction growth despite significant infrastructure needs, while Limpopo and the Eastern Cape saw only marginal gains. These differences highlight not only genuine regional dynamics but also the limitations of the current methodology: Stats SA’s use of building completions and employment as the primary proxies for provincial construction tends to favour provinces with stronger private building markets, while under-representing those with major public-sector civil-engineering programmes. As a result, infrastructure-heavy provinces may appear weaker on paper than they are in reality, underscoring the need for future GDP releases to incorporate public-sector capital-expenditure and civil-engineering indicators for a more accurate provincial comparison.

Download the latest Provincial GDP dataset here 1995 - 2022 here (available to subscribers)

Attached Files