The latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing exercise by Statistics South Africa (StatSA) has found that the country’s economy is 4.9% larger than previously estimated.

The benchmarking and rebasing exercise lifted the measured size of the economy in 2022 to R6.99 trillion.

Stats SA has indicated that the new benchmarking methodology prioritises reclassified industries and the non-observed economy, which has added 8.7% to GDP among other considerations.

Statistician General Risenga Maluleke says, “In the new methods in the benchmarking, we’re looking at the non-observed economy. In mining, illegal mining, manufacturing, illegal production, electricity-owned generation, transport, informal and e-hailing, personal services, illegal gambling and prostitution. ”

Maluleke says, “In terms of product classification, the KoiCop 18 implementation and reclassification of industry, Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa), as we’ll know that the threshold of funding for Prasa has gone a little higher on the side of government and we had to make sure that we also look at non-profit institutions.”

GDP rebasing shows South Africa’s economy is larger than previously estimated. Revised GDP growth rate for 2022 is 2.2% (up from 2.1%), while the economy in the 2022 base year is estimated to be 4.9% larger. #GDP #StatsSA https://t.co/EaPDjDbYN0

— Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (@StatsSA) October 29, 2026

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