StatsSA proposes changes to GDP metrics, for accuracy in trying times
Statistics South Africa says it will review its data compilation methods for monitoring the country’s Gross Domestic Product early next year. Annualised data showed large fluctuations as Covid-19 rattled the economy in 2020. Comparing this year’s data with corresponding periods last year certainly isn’t comparing apples to apples. StatsSA says its proposed new methodology will provide a more accurate overview of the economy’s performance even when shocks and anomalies occur. – Melani Nathan.
South Africa statistics agency may drop focus on annualised GDP
By Monique Vanek
(Bloomberg)– Statistics South Africa may move away from using the annualized quarterly change in gross domestic product as its main measure for the performance of the economy.