Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Emile du Plessis, a behavioural economist at Standard Bank
14 March 2022 - 13:35
by Mudiwa Gavaza
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Understanding how people make economic decisions during the current tough times is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.
Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Emile du Plessis, a behavioural economist at Standard Bank.
The discussion begins with a look at the area of behavioural economics. Du Plessis says this is, in essence, the study or science of understanding how people make economic decisions.
To understand the pressures facing consumers, Du Plessis says South Africans are increasingly paying more for goods and services due to rising inflation. Headline inflation is projected at 4.8% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2023, according to the National Treasury. Rising energy and fuel prices are expected to be key sources of inflationary pressure in the year ahead.
Join the discussion:
Du Plessis focuses on supply and demand imbalances affecting the economy; understanding one’s individual inflation basket; softening the impact of inflation on budgets; and controlling costs .
He explains how factors such as Covid-19, rising oil prices, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and interest rates are all working to influence how consumers are making decisions. He distinguishes between those working to survive and those working to maintain a certain lifestyle, explaining that low income households — with fewer savings and therefore less financial flexibility — are most susceptible to risks such as inflation.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Business Day Spotlight
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Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Emile du Plessis, a behavioural economist at Standard Bank
Understanding how people make economic decisions during the current tough times is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.
Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Emile du Plessis, a behavioural economist at Standard Bank.
The discussion begins with a look at the area of behavioural economics. Du Plessis says this is, in essence, the study or science of understanding how people make economic decisions.
To understand the pressures facing consumers, Du Plessis says South Africans are increasingly paying more for goods and services due to rising inflation. Headline inflation is projected at 4.8% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2023, according to the National Treasury. Rising energy and fuel prices are expected to be key sources of inflationary pressure in the year ahead.
Join the discussion:
Du Plessis focuses on supply and demand imbalances affecting the economy; understanding one’s individual inflation basket; softening the impact of inflation on budgets; and controlling costs .
He explains how factors such as Covid-19, rising oil prices, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and interest rates are all working to influence how consumers are making decisions. He distinguishes between those working to survive and those working to maintain a certain lifestyle, explaining that low income households — with fewer savings and therefore less financial flexibility — are most susceptible to risks such as inflation.
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