BER Research Notes
BER Spotlight: Census 2022
Date Uploaded: Nov 20 2023 8:30AM
It has been over a month since StatsSA started releasing the initial findings from Census 2022. In this short presentation we take a longitudinal view and analyse trends in relation to population, housing, service delivery and education.
read moreIt has been over a month since StatsSA started releasing the initial findings from Census 2022. In this short presentation we take a longitudinal view and analyse trends in relation to population, housing, service delivery and education.
Could fibre access improve economic outcomes for low and middle-income households in South Africa?
Date Uploaded: Sep 20 2023 12:00PM
Lower communication costs can have a positive growth impact in various respects. Fibre penetration in South Africa’s urban areas has deepened in recent years, and some investors are now looking to high-density townships for the next phase of fibre rollout. In
read moreLower communication costs can have a positive growth impact in various respects. Fibre penetration in South Africa’s urban areas has deepened in recent years, and some investors are now looking to high-density townships for the next phase of fibre rollout. In this Occasional Note, we posit that ubiquitous, unfettered, and affordable internet access could positively impact socioeconomic outcomes. We also provide a case study of the potential impact of low-cost fibre access in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community in South Africa.
Powering growth: Electricity and South Africa’s economic outlook (Part 2 of 2)
Date Uploaded: Mar 2 2023 8:30AM
This Research Note is the second instalment of a two-part series examining South Africa’s energy crisis. In Part Two, we focus on how investment associated with the demand for renewable energy could permeate the economy.
read moreThis Research Note is the second instalment of a two-part series examining South Africa’s energy crisis. In Part Two, we focus on how investment associated with the demand for renewable energy could permeate the economy.
Powering growth: Electricity and South Africa’s economic outlook (Part 1 of 2)
Date Uploaded: Feb 16 2023 8:00AM
This is the first installment of a two-part series that looks at South Africa’s energy
crisis. In Part One, we focus on load-shedding and its cost to GDP.
Updating the BER Building Cost Index: A review of indicator items and weights
Date Uploaded: Dec 14 2022 12:15PM
The BER BCI (Building Cost Index) is widely used in the building sector as well as the finance and insurance sector. However, the index has come under some scrutiny over the last few years due to, among other things, the appropriateness of the items included
read moreThe BER BCI (Building Cost Index) is widely used in the building sector as well as the finance and insurance sector. However, the index has come under some scrutiny over the last few years due to, among other things, the appropriateness of the items included in the index. This paper details a process which started at the end of 2020 to evaluate and, if possible, implement changes to the list of items (i.e. indicator items) included in the BER BCI.
Unpacking how SA’s consumer inflation rate rose slower than the US, the UK, and the Eurozone
Date Uploaded: Dec 13 2022 2:30PM
Global inflation accelerated through the second half of 2021, and by 2022, inflation in many advanced economies spiked to multi-decade highs and central banks scrambled to bring down inflation. South Africa was no exception to this trend and saw inflation
read moreGlobal inflation accelerated through the second half of 2021, and by 2022, inflation in many advanced economies spiked to multi-decade highs and central banks scrambled to bring down inflation. South Africa was no exception to this trend and saw inflation accelerate to multi-year highs through 2022. However, unlike the historic experience, South Africa’s inflation remained below some of the advanced economies. This note unpacks some of the reasons behind the recent surge in global inflation and highlights why South Africa diverged from the historical trend.
Targeting inflation: A review of the outcomes since 2000
Date Uploaded: Nov 24 2022 8:30AM
A historical overview of inflation outcomes in SA suggests that inflation targeting has served SA well as the major anchor of monetary policy, with targeted inflation trending lower over the past 20 years. This BER note reflects on the past two decades of
read moreA historical overview of inflation outcomes in SA suggests that inflation targeting has served SA well as the major anchor of monetary policy, with targeted inflation trending lower over the past 20 years. This BER note reflects on the past two decades of inflation targeting in SA and how the SARB established credibility that resulted in better anchored inflation expectations.
Crypto: much ado about nothing or something that will change the world?
Date Uploaded: Dec 10 2021 10:30AM
The introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3
read moreThe introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3 trillion. This note explores the current state of affairs and the likely regulatory changes to ensure continued development and innovation in this volatile but exciting sector.
SA’s municipal challenges and their impact on local economic development
Date Uploaded: Oct 15 2021 8:45AM
The upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the
read moreThe upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the infrastructure and basic services that municipalities should provide, local economic development is likely to remain constrained. This makes it more difficult to broaden economic participation and reverse South Africa’s unemployment trend.
The changing landscape of sustainable finance
Date Uploaded: Aug 10 2021 11:00AM
The global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER
read moreThe global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER Research Note explores how climate change might affect financial stability and how trends in sustainable finance could help respond to the associated threats and opportunities.