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New Website Feature: The BER is excited to launch, in beta version, the “BER data playground”. This feature allows users to view, track and compare various datasets from Stats SA and the SARB. Although this is a beta version, it provides quick and easy access to key economic data and statistics in one, centralised, place.
South Africa needs economic growth. The BER is launching the Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab, a new independent hub for analytical research capacity to support economic reform. Impumelelo (“success”) will work closely with government, business and broader society to unlock economic growth.
The Bureau for Economic Research’s highly respected economic analysis and forecasting services have made it a household name in SA and an invaluable partner to both business and government.
20.73/litre
20.26/litre
4.4% y-o-y
2.8%
0.4% y-o-y
11.50 %
2.0% y-o-y
-1.2% y-o-y
The Absa PMI increased to 52.8 points in September 2024, up from 43.6 in August 2024. The PMI (and official manufacturing data) has been volatile in recent months, but it is useful to note that September takes the average PMI for 2024Q3 to 49.6 points, just below the 50-point mark. This is a positive sign for the sector.
In many ways, 2024 is turning out much better than expected. Most notably, the extended absence of load-shedding and positive noises from the newly established Government of National Unity (GNU) about much-needed structural reform are welcome developments. However, despite shifts in some of the underlying components, our headline real GDP growth forecast for 2024 is unchanged at ‘just’ 1%.
Read our latest economic forecast.
Business confidence in the Other Services sector improved from 55 to 58 in the third quarter of 2024. There has been a shift from the start of the year, when 2024 started with six out of ten respondents unsatisfied, to now nearly six out of ten respondents being satisfied with prevailing business conditions.
The release calendar will be updated each quarter. Please note that these dates may change.
Wednesday
20 November 2024
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)
Monday
25 November 2024
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index
Wednesday
27 November 2024
Absa Manufacturing Survey
Wednesday
4 December 2024
FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
Thursday
5 December 2024
Other Services Survey
Monday
9 December 2024
Retail Survey
Thursday
12 December 2024
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index
Thursday
12 December 2024
Inflation Expectations Survey
Thursday
9 January 2025
Building Cost Report (BCIS)
The first working day of each month
Absa PMI
The first working day of each month
Update
The first week of each month
Trends
Every Friday
BER Weekly
In this report we review recent trends in the SA building industry, together with the input costs and the tender prices of building contractors, as measured by the BER Building Cost Index. This unique index is based on accepted building tenders. The report ends with a presentation of the relevant data and forecasts.
The BER Economist Internship Programme provides practical training to appropriately qualified previously disadvantaged individuals. The programme equips trainees to function as economists in the private and/or the public sector.
