News

South Africa GDP Shrinks More than Expected in Q2
The South African GDP contracted 17.1% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020, following a revised 0.1% growth in the previous period and compared with market expectations of a 16.5% slump. It was the strongest economic downturn since at least 1994, amid the impact of one of the strictest coronavirus lockdowns in the world which forced all non-essential activities to shut down operations. On a quarterly basis, the economy crashed at a record 51% in the three months to June of 2020, following a downwardly revised 1.8% contraction in the previous period and more than an estimated 47.3% plunge.
Published on 2020-09-08

South Africa GDP Shrinks Less than Expected
The South African GDP contracted 0.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020, following a 0.5% decline in the previous period and compared with market expectations of a 0.8% fall. Main negative contributions came from mining & quarrying (-4.5% vs -1% in Q4); manufacturing (-3.5% vs -2.6%) and construction (-5.3% vs -4.6%). On a quarterly basis, the economy shrank 2% in the three months to March of 2020, the most in a year, following a 1.4% contraction in the previous period but less than market expectations of a 3.8% decline.
Published on 2020-06-30

South Africa GDP Contracts the Most since 2009
The South African GDP declined 0.5% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, after expanding 0.1% in the previous period and compared with market expectations of a 0.1% drop. This was the steepest economic downturn since the fourth quarter of 2009. The impact of unprecedented power blackouts was reflected across sectors, namely utilities (-3.6% vs -2.4% in Q3); manufacturing (-2.6% vs -1.5%); mining (-1.% vs -0.7%); transport, storage & communication (-3.7% vs -1%) and construction (-4.6% vs -3.7%). Meanwhile, agricultural activity rebounded (2.1% vs -7.4%). On a quarterly basis, the economy shrank an annualized 1.4% in the three months to December of 2019, following an upwardly revised 0.8% contraction in the previous period and much worse than market expectations of a 0.1% decrease. The economy advanced by 0.2% in 2019, the least since the global financial crisis in 2009, and far below 0.8% a year ago.
Published on 2020-03-03

South Africa Economy Barely Grows in Q3
The South African GDP advanced 0.1 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019, after expanding 0.9 percent in the previous period and missing market expectations of a 0.4 percent growth. Further nationwide power blackouts hit primarily utilities, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and construction.
Published on 2019-12-03

South Africa GDP Grows 0.9% YoY in Q2
The South African economy expanded 0.9 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2019, after showing no growth in the previous period and beating market expectations of 0.8 percent. Service activities were the main drivers of GDP growth, while manufacturing expansion eased and output continued to contract for agriculture, mining, utilities and construction.
Published on 2019-09-03

South Africa GDP Annual Growth Stalls in Q1
The South African economy showed no growth in the first quarter of 2019, after expanding 1.1 percent in the prior period and missing market expectations of a 0.7 percent growth. Slower rises were seen in manufacturing, transport & storage, finance and government services. In addition, agriculture, mining, construction, utilities and trade posted contractions.
Published on 2019-06-04

South Africa GDP Annual Growth Slows Less than Expected
The South African economy expanded 1.1 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2018, after an upwardly revised 1.3 percent growth in the prior period while markets had expected it to advance 0.6 percent. Slower growth was seen in internal trade, utilities and public administration while the agricultural sector shrank. In 2018, the GDP advanced 0.8 percent, below an upwardly revised 1.4 percent in 2017.
Published on 2019-03-05

South Africa GDP Annual Growth Slows to 0.4% in Q2
The South African economy expanded 0.4 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2018, slowing from a 0.8 percent growth in the previous period and below market expectations of a 1 percent expansion. It was the weakest growth rate since the first quarter of 2016 when the economy contracted 0.3 percent, as production declined mainly for in agriculture, forestry and fishing activities.
Published on 2018-09-04

South Africa GDP Growth Slows to 0.8% YoY in Q1
The South African economy grew 0.8 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2018, easing from a 1.5 percent expansion in the previous period and below market expectations of 1.9 percent. It was the weakest growth rate since the second quarter of 2016, mainly due to a contraction in agriculture, forestry and fishing activities and mining.
Published on 2018-06-05

South Africa GDP Grows 1.5% YoY, Strongest Since 2015
The South African economy advanced 1.5 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2017, above an upwardly revised 1.3 percent growth in the previous period and beating market expectations of 1.4 percent. It is the strongest expansion since the first quarter of 2015 supported by a rebound in manufacturing and utilities and strong growth in services.
Published on 2018-03-06

South Africa GDP Annual Growth Rate Down to 0.8% in Q3
The South African economy advanced 0.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, below an upwardly revised 1.3 percent expansion in the previous period which was the highest growth rate in two years. Still, figures matched market expectations. Mining rose faster while agriculture slowed and manufacturing shrank for the fourth quarter.
Published on 2017-12-05

South Africa Annual GDP Growth at 2-Year High in Q2
The South African economy advanced 1.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2017, above 1 percent in the previous period and beating market expectations of 0.4 percent. It is the strongest annual growth rate in two years. Considering the first half of 2017, the economy expanded 1.1 percent.
Published on 2017-09-05

South Africa GDP Expands 1% YoY in Q1, Most in 2 Years
The South African economy advanced 1 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2017, higher than 0.7 percent in the previous two quarters and matching market expectations. It is the highest growth rate since the second quarter of 2015 as mining rebounded and agriculture grew the most in 2 years.
Published on 2017-06-06

South Africa Annual GDP Growth Beats Expectations
The South African economy expanded 0.7 percent year-on-year in the last three months of 2016, the same as in the previous quarter and higher than market expectations of 0.6 percent. A recovery in agriculture and higher trade, finance, real estate, business and government services drove the expansion, offsetting declines in mining, manufacturing and utilities. In 2016, the economy advanced 0.3 percent, compared with 1.3 percent in 2015.
Published on 2017-03-07

South African GDP Growth Steady at 0.7% YoY in Q3
The South African economy advanced 0.7 percent year-on-year in the September quarter of 2016, the same from an upwardly revised figure in the second quarter. It was the second straight quarter of growth, as an increase in finance & real estates activities, construction and transport & communication offset a decline in the agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
Published on 2016-12-06

South Africa GDP Expands 0.6% YoY in Q2
The South African economy advanced 0.6 percent year-on-year in the three months to June of 2016, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.1 percent contraction in the previous period and beating market expectations of a 0.5 percent growth. It is the best performance in three quarters, mainly due to a rebound in manufacturing.
Published on 2016-09-06

South Africa GDP Growth YoY at 6-Year Low
South African economy expanded 1.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2015, slowing from a 2.1 percent growth in the previous period, the worst performance since the recession in 2009.
Published on 2015-08-25

South Africa GDP Growth at 1-Year High
The South African economy expanded 2.1 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2015, up from 1.3 percent in the previous period and the highest growth rate since the last quarter of 2013. The mining sector rose for the first time in more than a year while manufacturing remains subdued and power shortages keep weighting down on growth.
Published on 2015-05-26

South African Economy Slows in Q4
South Africa’s GDP expanded 1.3 percent year-on-year in the last quarter of 2014, following a revised 1.6 percent increase in the previous period. For 2014 as a whole, the economy grew 1.5 percent, the slowest pace since a 2009 recession.
Published on 2015-02-24

South African Economy Expands 1.4% in Q3
South African GDP advanced 1.4 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2014 compared with a revised 1.3 percent expansion in the previous period. Growth was mainly driven by the services sector while mining and manufacturing shrank.
Published on 2014-11-25