The Number of the Day is 0.5 percent. That is South Africa’s GDP growth rate for the third quarter of 2025, according to Stats SA. It marks the fourth consecutive quarter of positive growth, which is good news. But as Francis Herd and Aakash Bramdeo explain, the number is still far below what is needed to reduce unemployment or poverty.
The hosts point out that many hoped growth would accelerate after load shedding eased and conditions improved earlier in the year. There were also gains from South Africa being removed from the grey list. But the latest number shows that momentum has not yet translated into strong economic performance.
They highlight a key concern: population growth is outpacing economic growth. Last year, the population grew by 1.3 percent while the economy grew by only 0.6 percent. This year, population growth is projected at 1.1 percent, with GDP at just 0.5 percent in the third quarter. When population growth is higher, the average person becomes poorer.
Despite this, Treasury projects full-year growth of around 1.2 percent. Whether that happens will depend on the final quarter.
