South Africa's economy back at pre-pandemic levels

Stats SA says the latest figures show the size of the economy is now at pre-pandemic levels, with real GDP slightly higher than what it was before the Covid-19 outbreak.

It says eight of the ten industries recorded positive growth, with a particularly sharp increase in manufacturing output. 

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Finance, real estate and business services, as well as trade, also added to GDP growth.

But mining and construction were down.

Household and government consumption, as well as exports and imports all continued to grow in the first three months.