Econ3x3
Soaring deficits and debt: restoring sustainability amidst low economic growth
By: Econ3x3 24th February 2020 The debt burden of the national government has steadily increased from 27% in 2007. It is heading towards 70% in 2022/3 if this trajectory is not... →
Hiding in plain sight: high-value agriculture’s large-scale potential to grow jobs and exports
By: Econ3x3 18th September 2019 South Africa has a major but overlooked opportunity to expand the production of high-value agricultural products that are both labour-intensive and... →
Socio-economic class in South Africa: playing snakes and ladders with loaded dice
By: Econ3x3 13th August 2019 Experiences of poverty over time differ markedly. Out of four South Africans, two experience persistent poverty with few future prospects. Another... →
The informal economy: Is policy based on correct assumptions?
By: Econ3x3 19th February 2019 We analyse the emphasis in informal-sector and informal-economy policy, highlighting who runs the risk of being missed. We then interrogate... →
Why has manufacturing employment declined so rapidly?
By: Econ3x3 3rd October 2018 The manufacturing sector has performed poorly and employment has fallen sharply. Policy has tended to push manufacturing onto a more... →
The top 1% of incomes are increasing rapidly even with low economic growth
By: Econ3x3 12th September 2018 We use tax data (which include accurate data for the very rich) to investigate the patterns of income growth over the period 2003 to 2016. Despite... →
Creating jobs, reducing poverty V: Is ‘formalising’ the informal sector the answer?
By: Econ3x3 21st August 2018 This extract from a new REDI3x3 book proposes a constructive way to approach the possible ‘formalisation’ of the informal sector. A common impulse... →
Creating jobs, reducing poverty III: Barriers to entry and growth in the informal sector – and business cycle vulnerabilities
7th August 2018 Introduction The previous article discussed the size and impact of the South African informal sector, also distinguishing key policy-relevant... →
Creating jobs, reducing poverty II: The substantial employment performance of the informal sector
31st July 2018 Introduction The previous article discussed the size and impact of the South African informal sector, also distinguishing key policy-relevant... →
Creating jobs, reducing poverty I: Why the informal sector should be taken seriously and enabled properly
By: Econ3x3 26th July 2018 It is not uncommon to find researchers and commentators viewing informal-sector participants as being without aspirations or entrepreneurial... →