IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Real quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) continues to increase

The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the third quarter of 2006 increased by an annualised rate of 4,7 percent compared with the second quarter of 2006, following real annualised economic growth rates of 5,0 (revised from 4,0) and 5,5 (revised from 4,9) percent in the first and second quarters of 2006 compared with the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 respectively.

The main contributors to the increase in economic activity for the third quarter of 2006 were the finance, real estate and business services industry (1,2 of a percentage point); the wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants industry (0,9 of a percentage point); the manufacturing industry and (0,8 of a percentage point): the transport and communication industry (0,5 of a percentage point) and the construction industry and general government sector (each industry contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).

The seasonally adjusted real annualised value added by the non-agricultural industries increased by 5,0 percent during the third quarter of 2006, following annualised increases of 5,8 percent (revised from 4,6) and 6,3 percent (revised from 5,8) percent during the first and second quarters of 2006 respectively.

The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the first nine months of 2006 increased by 4,4 percent compared with the first nine months of 2005.

Real annual GDP increases by 5,1 percent in 2005 following an increase of 4,8 percent (revised from 4,5 percent) in 2004

According to the latest preliminary indicators, independent annual real estimates of GDP for 2005 increased by 5,1 percent compared to 2004.

The main contributors to the increase in economic activity in 2005 were the finance, real estate and business services industry (1,0 percentage point); the wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants (0,9 of a percentage point); the manufacturing industry (0,8 of a percentage point); the transport, storage and communication industry and general government services (each contributing 0,5 percentage point).

Gross Domestic Product estimates per province: Contributions and real economic growth

In terms of the relative sizes of the provincial economies, Gauteng has confirmed its position as the largest contributor to South Africa