- Too few South Africans in work
- The quality of school education for most black people is sub standard
- Poorly located and inadequate infrastructure limits social inclusion and faster economic growth
- Spatial challenges continue to marginalise the poor
- South Africa's growth path is highly resource intensive and hence unsustainable
- The ailing public health system confronts a massive disease burden
- The performance of the public service is uneven
- Corruption undermines state legitimacy and service delivery
- South Africa remains a divided society.