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.
July 2021
19 July 2021 - The CRA's Fast Stats provides data-driven insights into current political and economic trends.
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Key takeaways:
- The Leading Business Indicator in April 2021 was up 3.6% compared to March 2021.
- The headline inflation rate for May 2021 was up 5.2% compared to May 2020, with core inflation up 3.1% for the same period.
- The growth in money supply — the total value of money available in the economy — in May 2021 was 1.82%, compared to 10.60% in May 2020.
- Equities net purchases/sales by foreigners for January-May 2021 reached -R15.3 billion, compared to -R44.0 billion for January-May 2020. Bonds net purchases/sales reached -R30.2 billion compared to -R67.0 billion for the same period.
- The average gold price per ounce in June 2021 was $1 835, compared to $1 733 in June 2020. The average platinum price per ounce was $1 118 compared to $820 for the same period.
- The average crude oil price (brent/barrel) in June 2021 was $72.93, compared to $39.94 in June 2020.
- South Africa recorded a merchandise trade surplus of R202.6 billion for January-May 2021, compared to a surplus of R10.6 billion for January-May 2020.
- Total vehicles sold were up 40.1% for January-June 2021, compared to January-June 2020. Vehicles exported were up 65.8% and tractors sold were up 27.3% for the same period.
- The volume of manufacturing production for January-May 2021 was up 17.1%, compared to January-April 2020. The volume of mining production was up 20.6% for the same period.