Fast Stats
These monthly reports keep CRA subscribers up-to-date with over 200 economic and social indicators. All the data you need to make informed decisions to successfully navigate complexity in South Africa.
April 2021
The CRA's Fast Stats provides data-driven insights into current political and economic trends.
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Key takeaways:
- The Sacci Business Confidence Index was down 0.3 points in March 2021, compared to February 2021.
- The headline inflation rate for February 2021 was up 2.9% compared to February 2020, with core inflation up 2.6% for the same period.
- The growth in money supply — the total value of money available in the economy — in February 2021 was 7.48%, compared to 7.79% in February 2020.
- Equities net purchases/sales by foreigners for January-February 2021 reached R-10.5 billion, compared to -R11.2 billion for January-February 2020. Bonds net purchases/sales reached R-16.4 billion compared to R1.5 billion for the same period.
- The average gold price per ounce in March 2021 was $1 720, compared to $1 593 in March 2020. The average platinum price per ounce was $1 177 compared to $761 for the same period.
- The average crude oil price (brent/barrel) in March 2021 was $65.53, compared to $32.81 in March 2020.
- South Africa recorded a merchandise trade surplus of R41.4 billion for January-February 2021, compared to a surplus of R10.3 billion for January-February 2020.
- Total vehicles sold were down 0.9% for January-March 2021, compared to January-March 2020. Vehicles exported were up 16.8% and tractors sold were up 28.7% for the same period.
- The volume of manufacturing production for January-February 2021 was down 3.1%, compared to January-February 2020. The volume of mining production was down 3.9% for the same period.
- Real Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) accounted for 15.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020, compared to 17.9% in 2019.