sharpCITY - Urban Research, Exhibitions, Events

+ HOUSING BOOM
At the dawn of democracy in 1994 there were 8 million households; there are now over 10 million, that's 2 million more in 10 years. SA is building over 500 houses a day!

+ HOUSEHOLDS
77% of all households are in three provinces (GTN, WC & KZN)

+ URBANISATION
61% of South Africans now live in urban areas, and 35% now live in the major metropolitan areas.

+ ELECTRICITY
Over 4 million homes have been electrified since 1994; over 85% now have electricity

+ WATER
Since 1994 an additional 2.6 million homes now have access to water (over 75%)

+ TOWNSHIPS
37% of South Africans live in "Townships". Townships are a legacy of Apartheid, were blacks were confined to live in specific areas, usually 15-20 kms outside major cities, to provide a source of Labour, but not be in close proximity. Today through urban sprawl, many townships have joined their original cities.

+ SOWETO Soweto is the most famous of these townships, the name being an acronym for SOuth WEstern TOwnship.

+ TYPE OF HOUSING & BUILDING INDUSTRY POTENTIAL

> Bottom End
27% of South African households are traditional huts, homesteads and farm houses, in the rural areas. Potential for the building or allied industry is very limited.

> Mass Township Market
37% of South Africans live in Sandard Township houses, improved township houses or RDP houses. Potential for low cost housing materials is huge, and much construction is funded by the Governments RDP (reconstruction and development programme). The market for sinks, geysers, household durables is growing exponentially. Increasing Living Standards means that expenditure on housing is now at 14%, making it the second largest item of Household expenditure after food. This bodes well for future growth in the "improvement" market and allied products.

> Top end Suburban Market
24% of South Africans now live in the Suburbs. The "emerged" previously disadvanted market are moving into the suburbs, and aspire to do so at an unprecedented rate. This has increased property prices by a compounded 30% per annum for the past 4 years, making SA one of the top 3 performing property markets in the world. Today almost 1 in 5 South Africans, who don't live in suburbs - aspire to live there.

Housing at 16% of household expenditure, makes up the largest portion of consumer spend. The market for all types of building materials up-market finishes and fittings, security and luxury household goods is buoyant.

+ DURABLES
Less than half of SA households had a fridge before the '94 democratic elections, Today more than two thirds have one!

+ SOCIETY ON THE MOVE
South Africa's Group Areas Act legislated that different racial groups had to live in distinct areas. The normalisation of society is taking place rapidly, but predominantly at the top end of the market. 24% now live in mixed race neighbourhoods, and this figure is 68% at the top end of the market. The mobile aspiritional driven market bodes well for the buiders and developers.

+ EMPLOYMENT
The construction industry is the seventh largest employer in South Africa.

+ CONSTRUCTION BOOM
Mirroring the construction boom in SA, construction employment grew by an astounding 25% last year, it now provides over 800,000 jobs. With unemployment being a major problem in SA, the construction industry is providing much needed jobs.

+ For more statistics and information on the South African Market, visit www.consumerscope.co.za

Investigating South Africa

About the South African Market
South African Statistics

Investigating South Africa About the South African Market South African Statistics + HOUSING BOOM At the dawn of democracy in 1994 there were 8 million households; there are now over 10 million, that's 2 million more in 10 years. SA is building over 500 houses a day! + HOUSEHOLDS 77% of all households are in three provinces (GTN, WC & KZN) + URBANISATION 61% of South Africans now live in urban areas, and 35% now live in the major metropolitan areas. + ELECTRICITY Over 4 million homes have been electrified since 1994; over 85% now have electricity + WATER Since 1994 an additional 2.6 million homes now have access to water (over 75%) + TOWNSHIPS 37% of South Africans live in "Townships". Townships are a legacy of Apartheid, were blacks were confined to live in specific areas, usually 15-20 kms outside major cities, to provide a source of Labour, but not be in close proximity. Today through urban sprawl, many townships have joined their original cities. + SOWETO Soweto is the most famous of these townships, the name being an acronym for SOuth WEstern TOwnship. + TYPE OF HOUSING & BUILDING INDUSTRY POTENTIAL > Bottom End 27% of South African households are traditional huts, homesteads and farm houses, in the rural areas. Potential for the building or allied industry is very limited. > Mass Township Market 37% of South Africans live in Sandard Township houses, improved township houses or RDP houses. Potential for low cost housing materials is huge, and much construction is funded by the Governments RDP (reconstruction and development programme). The market for sinks, geysers, household durables is growing exponentially. Increasing Living Standards means that expenditure on housing is now at 14%, making it the second largest item of Household expenditure after food. This bodes well for future growth in the "improvement" market and allied products. > Top end Suburban Market 24% of South Africans now live in the Suburbs. The "emerged" previously disadvanted market are moving into the suburbs, and aspire to do so at an unprecedented rate. This has increased property prices by a compounded 30% per annum for the past 4 years, making SA one of the top 3 performing property markets in the world. Today almost 1 in 5 South Africans, who don't live in suburbs - aspire to live there. Housing at 16% of household expenditure, makes up the largest portion of consumer spend. The market for all types of building materials up-market finishes and fittings, security and luxury household goods is buoyant. + DURABLES Less than half of SA households had a fridge before the '94 democratic elections, Today more than two thirds have one! + SOCIETY ON THE MOVE South Africa's Group Areas Act legislated that different racial groups had to live in distinct areas. The normalisation of society is taking place rapidly, but predominantly at the top end of the market. 24% now live in mixed race neighbourhoods, and this figure is 68% at the top end of the market. The mobile aspiritional driven market bodes well for the buiders and developers. + EMPLOYMENT The construction industry is the seventh largest employer in South Africa. + CONSTRUCTION BOOM Mirroring the construction boom in SA, construction employment grew by an astounding 25% last year, it now provides over 800,000 jobs. With unemployment being a major problem in SA, the construction industry is providing much needed jobs. > Click on the thumbnail to view larger version + For more statistics and information on the South African Market, visit www.consumerscope.co.za

+ INVESTIGATING SOUTH AFRICA > Statistics	+

Investigating South Africa

About the South African Market South African Statistics

About the South African Market
South African Statistics