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

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Sentiment among civil contractors, as measured by the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index rose to a joint 11-year high in 2025Q4. The improvement in the business mood was supported by significantly better readings for activity growth and overall profitability.

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

Sentiment among civil contractors, as measured by the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index rose to a joint 11-year high in 2025Q4. The improvement in the business mood was supported by significantly better readings for activity growth and overall profitability.

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Economic Forecast

Read our latest economic forecast.

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

Wednesday
4 March 2026

RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)

Monday
9 March 2026

FNB/BER Building Confidence Index

Tuesday
17 March 2026

Absa Manufacturing Survey

Tuesday
24 March 2026

FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)

Thursday
19 March 2026

Other Services Survey

Thursday
12 March 2026

Retail Survey

Friday
27 March 2026

FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index

Monday
16 March 2026

Inflation Expectations Survey

Friday
27 March 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

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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.

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