While economic indicators suggest South Africa’s economy is holding up, improvements are not yet translating into what matters most: stronger growth and more jobs.
South Africa’s second-quarter economic growth figures are due on Tuesday, providing a fresh snapshot of an economy battling high unemployment, weak business confidence and the fallout from sharply higher fuel prices.
To look beyond any single number, IOL created its own Economic Health Index, weighting 10 key measures to produce an overall score out of 10, with growth and jobs carrying the greatest weight.
The index is based on IOL’s desktop research and publicly available data, without input from economists.
The index shows that a healthy trade position, a resilient rand and improved electricity supply are offset by weak growth, exceptionally high unemployment and subdued business conditions.
