SA’s GDP grows by 0.8% in Q2, boosted by manufacturing sector – SABC News
Data released by Statistics South Africa shows that the country’s economy grew by 0.8% in the second quarter from 0.1 % in the first quarter of 2025.
The jump in gross domestic product was supported by production growth in the manufacturing, mining and trade sectors.
Demand was also positive in the period characterised by stronger household consumption and low imports.
Statistics South Africa has published the latest GDP data for the second quarter of 2025. The GDP grew by 0.8%. For more visit https://t.co/TS6YUmNBRC pic.twitter.com/a1xb4KnFeA
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 9, 2025
‘Interest rate cut’
Chief Economist at Investec, Annabel Bishop says while economic growth in the second quarter of the year is welcomed news, it remains too low to address South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Construction, transport, storage and communication disappointed in the second quarter.
Bishop says the numbers are at least supportive of another interest rate cut.
“The 0,8% lift is still below one percent and of course below the 3% as well needed to create jobs in South Africa. The strengthening in the second quarter compared to the first quarter 0,1% percent outcome, we do not believe the GDP data is strong enough to cause any concern to the South African Reserve Bank from an inflation point of view, we continue to expect another interest rate cut this year of 25 basis points, but SA still needs to see strong economic growth that came out in order to make a change to the country’s highlevels of unemployment.”
Statistics South Africa has published the latest GDP data for the second quarter of 2025. The GDP grew by 0.8%. For more visit https://t.co/TS6YUmNBRC pic.twitter.com/a1xb4KnFeA
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 9, 2025