Overview
- Statistics South Africa reported real GDP grew 0.4% quarter on quarter in Q4 2025 and 1.1% for the year, led by finance, real estate and business services, with manufacturing down 0.6%.
- On the expenditure side, household consumption rose 1.2% and fixed investment increased 1.3%, while exports fell 0.6% and inventories were drawn down; Stats SA said national accounts will be rebased to 2022 later this year.
- Japan revised Q4 2025 growth up to an annualised 1.3% (0.3% q/q), driven by a 1.3% rise in capital expenditure and a 0.3% gain in private consumption, with domestic demand contributing 0.3 percentage point.
- South Korea’s preliminary data showed GDP contracted 0.2% q/q in Q4 2025 and grew 1.0% for the year, with quarterly declines in exports, construction investment and facilities investment; per capita GNI was US$36,855.
- Analysts highlighted downside risks from the Iran–Middle East conflict and trade frictions that could lift energy costs and pressure spending and inflation trajectories.