IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased by an annualised rate of 4,4 per cent compared with an increase of 2,7 per cent (revised from an increase of 2,6 per cent) during the third quarter of 2010.

The contributors to the increase in economic activity for the fourth quarter of 2010 were the mining and quarrying industry (0,9 of a percentage point), general government services (0,7 of a percentage point), the manufacturing industry (0,6 of a percentage point) and finance, real estate and business services, the wholesale, retail, motor trade and accommodation industry and the transport, storage and communication industry (each contributing 0,4 of a percentage point). The construction industry contributed (0,0 of a percentage point) for five consecutive quarters.

The seasonally adjusted real annualised value added by primary, secondary and tertiary sectors recorded increases of 15,8 per cent, 3,6 per cent and 3,4 per cent respectively, during the fourth quarter of 2010.

The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased by 3,8 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2009.

Real annual GDP increased by 2,8 per cent in 2010

First preliminary annual estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) are derived as the sum of the GDP for the four quarters of the specific year. These estimates indicate that the real annual GDP at market prices for 2010, increased by 2,8 per cent compared with 2009 when the real annual economic growth rate decreased by 1,7 per cent.

The contributors to the increase in economic activity in 2010 were the manufacturing industry (0,7 of a percentage point), finance, real estate and business services and general government services (each contributing 0,4 of a percentage point) and the wholesale, retail, motor trade and accommodation industry, the transport, storage and communication industry and the mining and quarrying industry (each contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).