IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Real gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices increased by 4,6 per cent during the first quarter of 2010

The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the first quarter of 2010 increased by an annualised rate of 4,6 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. The corresponding real annualised economic growth rates for the four quarters of 2009 were decreases of 7,4 per cent and 2,8 per cent and increases of 0,9 per cent and 3,2 per cent respectively.

The main contributors to the increase in economic activity for the first quarter of 2010 were the manufacturing industry (1,3 percentage points), the mining and quarrying industry (0,8 of a percentage point), the finance, real estate and business services industry (0,5 of a percentage point), the wholesale, retail, motor trade and accommodation industry and the general government services (each contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).

The seasonally adjusted real annualised value added by primary, secondary and tertiary industries recorded increases of 11,8 per cent, 7,0 per cent and 2,7 per cent, respectively.

The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the first quarter of 2010 increased by 1,6 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2009. The corresponding growth rates for the respective four quarters of 2009 were decreases of 0,7 per cent, 2,7 per cent, 2,2 per cent and 1,4 per cent respectively, yielding an annual negative growth rate of 1,8 per cent in real GDP at market prices.

The GDP estimates are preliminary, and may routinely be revised on the basis of additional evidence that has become available by the time the subsequent quarter's estimates are released.