Economic Research

We collate the Investec Group’s considerable analytical resources to provide reports with a South African market perspective.

South Africa is a medium-sized economy with a gross domestic product of R2 283bn (US$280bn) and a population of 48 million. While GDP per capital measurements place SA in the middle income category, the country’s very high level of income inequality means a large percentage of the population lives in poverty. The manufacturing and finance sectors are the largest and the manufacturing sector the greatest formal employer.

The SA economy plunged into recession at the end of last year. It currently remains in recession after its longest upward business cycle phase. However, the relative economic stability the ANC has achieved is a sound base from which to move towards the employment creating growth rate of 5-6% once the global economy recovers. We expect growth to average 1.5% in 2010, moving toward 3.5-5% thereafter.

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