PwC: South Africa Economic Outlook | October 2025
Are we on the brink of the fourth industrial revolution?
By PwC
We’re pleased to share our next South Africa Economic Outlook report.
The number of job postings in South Africa requiring AI-related skills increased by 26% in 2023 and a further 8% in 2024. Occupations exposed to GenAI are also seeing significantly faster employment growth compared to jobs where AI skills are less required.
Our scenarios suggest that AI has the potential to boost South Africa’s real GDP by an additional 6.0 percentage points towards 2035 if the country can reduce inequality of access to and develop the skills needed to use AI tools.
Key content in this report includes:
Potential impact of AI on future global economic growth and productivity.
Education, ICT and agriculture have the biggest share of their vacancies requiring AI skills.
Strong growth momentum in GenAI-exposed occupations in South Africa.
Industry focus: Impact of AI on manufacturing jobs.
Curriculum planning: Persona-based upskilling to provide workers with the right set of AI-related skills.
The other 98%: Mass AI upskilling, or risk leaving many people behind.
How we can help with AI upskilling
Contact us
Lullu Krugel
Partner and Chief Economist
PwC South Africa
+27 (0) 82 708 2330
Christie Viljoen
Senior Manager and Lead Economist: Macro Analysis, PwC South Africa
+27 (0) 82 472 8621