The BER, a proud economic research institute of Stellenbosch University

ANNOUNCEMENT

Appointment of a new BER political analyst The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University is delighted to announce that highly respected political journalist Mrs Natasha Marrian has been appointed as its first ever in-house political analyst. She will assume her duties on 1 January 2026.

INTRODUCING BER ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS

ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE OPEN. We’ve enhanced the BER Weekly Review you know and trust with even more expert analysis and forecasting – now called BER Essential Insights. Subscribe today and get trusted updates on key economic events affecting your business.

A fiscal anchor for South Africa

RESEARCH NOTE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that South Africa adopt fiscal rules, and the National Treasury has committed to a process of consultations on fiscal rules, and to release a discussion by the end of March 2025. This research note explores what fiscal rules are and whether they could improve South Africa’s fiscal sustainability and fiscal credibility. It highlights guiding principles and considerations for fiscal rule design and outlines a possible fiscal rule to initially stabilise debt followed by a debt reduction phase.


Free Weekly Review | Number 48 | 12 December 2025

BER Weekly Review (Free) | 12 December

Read More

A rise in consumer confidence suggests retail tills will jingle loudly this festive season, as the FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rebounded to -9 index points in the fourth quarter, after falling from -10 to -13 in the third quarter of 2025.

Read More
Business Confidence Index
Consumer Confidence Index
Purchasing Managers' Index
Building Confidence Index
Civil Confidence Index

In the fourth quarter of 2025 (the first survey after the inflation target changed to 3%), the two- and five-year inflation expectations of the three professional groups, on average, fell to a record low of 3.7% (from 4.2% before). Next-year expectations were also down by a significant margin (0.4% pts) to 3.8%. Household inflation expectations resumed its downward trend, after a brief pause in the third quarter; one-year expectations were observed at 5.3% (5.5% previously).

Read More

Economic Forecast

Read our latest economic forecast.

Read More

The release calendar will be updated each quarter. Please note that these dates may change.

Wednesday
3 December 2025

RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)

Monday
8 December 2025

FNB/BER Building Confidence Index

Friday
5 December 2025

Absa Manufacturing Survey

Tuesday
9 December 2025

FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)

Monday
15 December 2025

Other Services Survey

Thursday
11 December 2025

Retail Survey

Tuesday
6 January 2026

FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index

Friday
12 December 2025

Inflation Expectations Survey

Monday
12 January 2026

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 (Enhanced and Free versions)

BER Weekly

Read More

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.

Read more