The cost of harmful alcohol use in South Africa

PKBackground. The economic, social and health costs associated with alcohol-related harms are important measures with which to inform alcohol management policies and laws. This analysis builds on previous cost estimates for South Africa. Methods. We reviewed existing international best-practice costing frameworks to provide the costing definitions and dimensions. We sourced data from South African costing literature or, if unavailable, estimated costs using socio-economic and health data from secondary sources. Care was taken to avoid possible causes of cost overestimation, in particular double counting and, as far as possible, second-round effects of alcohol abuse. Results. The combined total tangible and intangible costs of alcohol harm to the economy were estimated at 10 - 12% of the 2009 gross domestic product (GDP). The tangible financial cost of harmful alcohol use alone was estimated at R37.9 billion, or 1.6% of the 2009 GDP. Discussion. The costs of alcohol-related harms provide a substantial counterbalance to the economic benefits highlighted by the alcohol industry to counter stricter regulation. Curtailing these costs by regulatory and policy interventions contributes directly and indirectly to social well-being and the economy. Conclusions. Existing frameworks that guide the regulation and distribution of alcohol frequently focus on maximising the contribution of the alcohol sector to the economy, but should also take into account the associated economic, social and health costs. Current interventions do not systematically address the most important causes of harm from alcohol, and need to be informed by reliable evidence of the ongoing costs of alcohol-related harms

The cost of harmful alcohol use in South Africa

Background. The economic, social and health costs associated with alcohol-related harms are important measures with which to inform alcohol management policies and laws. This analysis builds on previous cost estimates for South Africa.Methods. We reviewed existing international best-practice costing frameworks to provide the costing definitions and dimensions. We sourced data from South African costing literature or, if unavailable, estimated costs using socio-economic and health data from secondary sources. Care was taken to avoid possible causes of cost overestimation, in particular double counting and, as far as possible, second-round effects of alcohol abuse.Results. The combined total tangible and intangible costs of alcohol harm to the economy were estimated at 10 - 12% of the 2009 gross domestic product (GDP). The tangible financial cost of harmful alcohol use alone was estimated at R37.9 billion, or 1.6% of the 2009 GDP.Discussion. The costs of alcohol-related harms provide a substantial counterbalance to the economic benefits highlighted by the alcohol industry to counter stricter regulation. Curtailing these costs by regulatory and policy interventions contributes directly and indirectly to social well-being and the economy.Conclusions. Existing frameworks that guide the regulation and distribution of alcohol frequently focus on maximising the contribution of the alcohol sector to the economy, but should also take into account the associated economic, social and health costs. Current interventions do not systematically address the most important causes of harm from alcohol, and need to be informed by reliable evidence of the ongoing costs of alcohol-related harms

Prices, investment and efficiency on the railways: a sectoral review of efficiencies in administered pricing in South Africa

Commissioned by Trade and Industry Chamber, JulyThere has been little change to the operational structure of the South African rail industry over the past century. Now, as then, it remains a state-owned monopoly, run as a division of the same entity that houses the South African ports. Despite attempts to introduce greater commercial discipline in the 1980s, the rail industry is still only intermittently profitable and seems to be cross-subsidised via the high returns achieved in Transnet's ports division. This research investigates the current approach to pricing of the South African rail sector, its impact on the productivity and competitiveness of the broader economy and benchmarks rail prices to global competitors. Because rail is owned and operated by government, prices in the sector can be regarded as 'administered', rather than as determined by market forces. It is thus important to ensure that price structures in rail are consistent with the wider macroeconomic policy goals of government

Shifting the Focus of Migration Back Home: Perspectives from Southern Africa

Loren B. Landau and Darshan Vigneswaran raise three fundamental critiques about how contemporary migration and development debates are likely to affect sub-Saharan Africa. They suggest that the focus should shift from movements out of Africa to migration, displacement and urbanization within the continent in order to take into account the negative effects of migration on families, conflict and political accountability. They argue that given that the balance of negotiating power rests with Europe and North America, it is unlikely that any future agenda on migration will give priority to African interests. Development (2007) 50, 82–87. doi:10.1057/palgrave.development.1100435