The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the first quarter of 2010 increased by an annualised rate of 4,6 percent 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 percent and 2,8 percent and increases of 0,9 percent and 3,2 percent 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 percent, 7,0 percent and 2,7 percent, respectively.
The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the first quarter of 2010 increased by 1,6 percent compared with the first quarter of 2009. The corresponding growth rates for the respective four quarters of 2009 were decreases of 0,7 percent, 2,7 percent, 2,2 percent and 1,4 percent respectively, yielding an annual negative growth rate of 1,8 percent 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.
For further enquiries contact:
Mr Litshani Ligudu, Acting Manager: Gross domestic product
Tel: 012 310 4674
Issued by: Statistics South Africa
25 May 2010
Source: Statistics South Africa (http://www.statssa.gov.za/)
