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Understanding and characterizing the services sector in South Africa: an update

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  • François Steenkamp
  • Yanele Nyamela
  • Megan Bryer
  • Siyanda Jonas

Abstract

This paper examines the services sector's contribution to the South African economy and the extent to which the sector can drive structural transformation. The South African economy has continued along a path of tertiarization and can be classified as a de facto services-based economy. Relatively high-productivity modern services activities, including financial, business, and communication services, have become increasingly important.

Suggested Citation

  • François Steenkamp & Yanele Nyamela & Megan Bryer & Siyanda Jonas, 2025. "Understanding and characterizing the services sector in South Africa: an update," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2025-48, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2025-48
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2025-48-understanding-and-characterizing-services-sector-south-africa-update.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicola Branson & Murray Leibbrandt, 2013. "Education Quality and Labour Market Outcomes in South Africa," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1021, OECD Publishing.
    2. Leonardo Baccini & Matteo Fiorini & Bernard Hoekman & Marco Sanfilippo, 2023. "Services, Jobs, and Economic Development in Africa," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 38(1), pages 147-178.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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