IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries¹ in the fourth quarter of 2023 was estimated at R3 463 269 million (R3,46 trillion), an increase of 1,8% compared with the third quarter of 2023 (R3 403 292 million or R3,40 trillion).

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2023, turnover increased in seven industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in mining and quarrying (+10,1%), followed by transport, storage and communication (+4,8%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+4,0%), manufacturing (+2,0%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+2,0%), construction (+1,3%) and trade (+0,6%). A decrease was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (-15,8%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 were estimated at R1 437 992 million, an increase of 3,9% compared with R1 384 209 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023. Increases were recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+11,6%), trade (+6,2%), manufacturing (+3,4%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+1,9%). Decreases were recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-5,8%), transport, storage and communication (-3,8%), construction (-3,1%) and mining and quarrying (-1,0%).

Turnover was estimated at R3 463 269 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 3,5% compared with R3 346 188 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Seven of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+15,5%), followed by community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+9,7%), manufacturing (+8,8%), mining and quarrying (+7,2%), transport, storage and communication (+5,7%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+2,9%) and construction (+0,5%). A decrease was recorded in trade (-2,3%).