The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries1 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was estimated at R3 619 881 million (R3,62 trillion), an increase of 4,5% compared with the third quarter of 2024 (R3 463 975 million or R3,46 trillion).

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2024, turnover increased in seven industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in construction (+11,4%), followed by trade (+6,0%), manufacturing (+5,5%), mining and quarrying (+3,5%), electricity, gas and water supply (+2,8%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+1,9%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+1,5%). A decrease was recorded in transport, storage and communication (-1,4%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 were estimated at R1 408 856 million, a decrease of 6,1% compared with R1 500 324 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024. Decreases were recorded in manufacturing (-12,3%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-8,7%), construction (-4,0%), transport, storage and communication (-3,6%), mining and quarrying (-2,3%) and trade (-1,5%). Increases were recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+8,3%) and electricity, gas and water supply (+0,2%).

Turnover was estimated at R3 619 881 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 4,5% compared with R3 464 740 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Six of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+26,3%), followed by construction (+22,5%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+10,3%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+6,7%), manufacturing (+6,5%) and trade (+3,0%). Decreases were recorded in mining and quarrying (-5,3%) and transport, storage and communication (-2,9%).