IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased at an annualised rate of 3,8 per cent. The main contributors to this increase in economic activity were the manufacturing industry (1,8 percentage points) and the mining and quarrying industry (0,8 of a percentage point).

The manufacturing industry’s contribution of 1,8 percentage points was based on growth of 12,3 per cent, due to higher production in food and beverages; petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products; and motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment.

The mining and quarrying industry’s contribution of 0,8 of a percentage point was based on growth of
15,7 per cent, due to higher production in the mining of gold, the mining of ‘other’ metal ores (including platinum) and ‘other’ mining and quarrying (including diamonds).

A negative contribution was recorded by the electricity, gas and water industry. Economic activity in the electricity, gas and water industry reflected negative growth of 5,6 per cent, due to lower consumption in both electricity and water.

The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 2,0 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. The most notable performances were the mining and quarrying industry that increased by 9,4 per cent and the construction industry that increased by 4,5 per cent.

The first preliminary annual estimates of GDP for 2013 are derived as the sum of the GDP for the four quarters. These estimates indicate that the real annual GDP at market prices for 2013 increased by 1,9 per cent.

The nominal GDP at market prices in 2013 was R3,4 trillion, which is R246 billion more than in 2012. The most notable performances were finance, real estate and business services that expanded by R54 billion to R652 billion and general government services that expanded by R52 billion to R518 billion.

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