Report on Monitoring National Development Plan Indicators and Targets__December 2024

The National Development Plan (NDP) aims to reduce unemployment and inequality while eliminating poverty. To achieve these objectives, it emphasises the need for inclusive economic growth, enhanced human capabilities, social protection, a capable and developmental state, and strong leadership. The NDP highlights the importance of coordination among the three levels of government—local, provincial, and national—as essential for establishing an effective state in South Africa. Furthermore, successful implementation of the NDP requires the active participation of all sectors of society. Figure 1: Three spheres of government In 2021, the National Planning Commission (NPC) developed the National Development Plan Implementation Framework to provide decisive guidance for achieving established targets. This framework clearly delineated the priorities essential for realising the goals of the NDP and outlined critical actions that needed to be executed immediately. Its primary objective was to create a robust national planning system that all levels of government, social partners, and key sectors could actively utilise. While the framework was built upon the government's leadership in implementation, it emphasised the need for a comprehensive measurement tool beyond the guiding principles to ensure its success. The NPC, therefore, developed the NDP Implementation Tracker tool, a dashboard that shows progress toward specific targets, goals, objectives, and indicators of the NDP. Since it is impossible to track everything, the tool focuses on those indicators that best measure the NDP's overall goals and objectives, based on the available data for those indicators. This 2024 NDP indicators and targets report provide a comprehensive analysis of South Africa’s progress toward realising NDP Vision 2030. It assesses the country’s advancements across key indicators outlined in the Plan, reflecting on the extent to which strategic objectives have been achieved and identifying areas that require accelerated intervention. The report serves as an essential tool for stakeholders across government, civil society, and the private sector, offering insights into the alignment of policy implementation with the overarching development goals. As South Africa continues its journey towards a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive society, the 2024 report emphasises the importance of integrated planning, data-driven policy, and adaptive governance.