Key findings for the quarter ended December 2021

The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at R3 040 124 million (R3,04 trillion), an increase of 3,0% compared with the third quarter of 2021 (R2 952 847 million or R2,95 trillion).

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2021, turnover increased in six industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+7,3%) followed by mining and quarrying (+5,3%), transport, storage and communication (+5,1%), trade (+5,0%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+1,2%) and manufacturing (+1,1%). Decreases were recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (-20,0%) and construction (-9,8%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021 were estimated at R1 094 010 million, a decrease of 5,2% compared with R1 153 947 million at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Decreases were recorded in construction (-18,5%), mining and quarrying (-11,8%) and manufacturing (-9,0%). Increases were recorded for community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+15,9%), electricity, gas and water supply (+6,0%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+5,0%) and transport, storage and communication (+2,9%).

Total capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was estimated at R93 573 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of 0,6% compared with R94 183 million in the third quarter of 2021. The largest percentage decrease was recorded for construction (-38,8%) followed by community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-24,3%), manufacturing (-11,6%), electricity, gas and water supply (-4,5%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-3,3%). Increases were recorded in trade (+14,2%), mining and quarrying (+7,8%) and transport, storage and communication (+1,6%).

Turnover was estimated at R3 040 124 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 9,2% compared with R2 783 457 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Seven of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+24,3%) followed by mining and quarrying (+15,4%), trade (+12,2%), electricity, gas and water supply (+9,6%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+5,7%), transport, storage and communication (+3,8%) and manufacturing (+0,9%). A decrease was recorded in construction (-12,2%).