Adding to the slowdown was manufacturing, contracting by 3,1% in the same quarter. This was largely a result of slower production in manufacturing sectors related to food and beverages, petroleum and chemicals, and transport equipment.<\/p>\n All industries in the tertiary sector recorded positive growth rates, led by an increase of 2,6% in transport and communication services and an increase of 2,1% in trade, catering and accommodation services.<\/p>\n Expenditure on GDP decreased by 0,1% in the fourth quarter of 2016 following an increase of 0,4% in the third quarter. There were increases in consumption expenditure (household and government) as well as fixed investment, but a decline in inventories pulled the total growth rate into negative territory. Large inventory drawdowns were reported for the mining industry (lower production but higher exports of precious metals and mineral products); these were partly offset by inventory build-up in the manufacturing sector.<\/p>\n Other quick GDP facts are:<\/p>\n Download the complete GDP publication here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1 <\/sup>Unless otherwise stated, growth rates are quarter-on-quarter, seasonally adjusted and annualised.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A fall in mining and manufacturing production in the final quarter of 2016 pulled South African economic growth into negative territory, according to preliminary figures of gross domestic product (GDP) released by Stats SA. South Africa\u2019s economy contracted by 0,3% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted and annualised). The mining industry\u2019s 11,5%1 drop in production was the main read more »<\/a><\/p>\n![\"gdp_fourth_2016_fig1\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/gdp_fourth_2016_fig1.png\")
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