This is as unemployment grew to 32,9% and consumer price inflation remained below three percent.

Mining production for March 2025 experienced a drastic 4.5%  decrease compared to March last year, which was driven mainly by lower production in platinum group metals. Manufacturing in March 2025 saw a 2.3%  decline year-on-year with Stats SA reporting that seven out of the 10 manufacturing divisions in the country contracted in the period, with most of the negative growth coming from reduced production in petroleum and chemical products, food and beverages and motor vehicles and other transport equipment.

Sectors such as retail trade, motor trade, tourist accommodation and land freight transport saw positive growth between January 2025 and March 2025. More people purchased new and used vehicles as the sector grew by 3.6%  in March 2025 compared to the same month last year. Consumer spending was also positive as retail trade sales grew by a marginal 1.5% year-on-year for March 2025.

--SABC--