27/02/2026
2026 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
1. The social wage – which includes spending on education, skills development and public employment, the provision of housing, public transport and free basic services, and health care – will make up an average of 60 per cent of non-interest spending over the medium term.
2. Economic development is the fastest growing function at an annual average of 5.8 per cent, driven by higher infrastructure allocations.
3. In 2025/26, government debt will stabilise at 78.9 per cent of GDP.
4. Real GDP growth of 1.6 per cent is estimated for 2026, rising to 2 per cent in 2028.
5. R4.1 billion has been allocated for the Presidential Employment Programme in 2026/27
6. The R20 billion tax increase previously penciled into the 2026 Budget is withdrawn
Click below for the full joint publication between National Treasury and South African Revenue Service (SARS) that announces government’s spending, tax and borrowing plans for the next three years.
https://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/National%20Budget/2026/PeoplesGuide/2026%20Budget%20-%20Peoples%20Guide%20-%20English.pdf