1307.4 - South Australian Economic Indicators, Nov 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/11/2003   
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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication provides an up-to-date overview of the South Australian economy and contrasts the State's performance with that of the Australian economy. It provides details of movements in a range of economic indicators and also contains time series information.


MAIN FEATURES

The data in this Overview are presented in trend terms, unless otherwise stated.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The value of South Australian merchandise exports (in original terms) for the month of August 2003 was $630.2m. This was an increase of 7.4% over July 2003 but was 24.2% less than the value of exports in August 2002 ($831.2m).

The value of South Australian merchandise imports (in original terms) for August 2003 was $427.7m. This was a decrease of 4.0% from $445.7m recorded in July 2003 and 10.2% less than the August 2002 figure of $476.1m.

Graph - MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS



CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT

In the twelve months to August 2003 retail turnover increased by 3.2% to $1,107.7m. This was a decrease of 0.3% from the July 2003 figure of $1,110.8m.

New motor vehicle sales rose 1.8% in September to 5,409. This was an increase of 22.5% over the year since September 2002.


Graph - RETAIL TURNOVER
Graph - NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

Private new capital expenditure in the June quarter was $1,088m, an increase of 25.9% on the June quarter 2002, and 8.4% over the March 2003 quarter. Expenditure for the financial year 2002-03 was $44,015m. an increase of 29.0% over the previous financial year.



HOUSING

In August 2003 the estimated number of dwelling units approved in South Australia was 919, having risen for the last five months. The trend for private sector houses has risen for the last six months.

Graph - DWELLING UNITS APPROVED



CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

The all groups consumer price index in Adelaide for the September quarter 2003 was 145.4, an increase of 3.6% on the level recorded for the September 2002 quarter and up 0.8% on the June quarter 2003.


Graph - CONSUMER PRICE INDEX



LABOUR FORCE AND DEMOGRAPHY

The estimate of employed persons in South Australia was 716,900 persons in September 2003, 3.3% higher than the level of twelve months ago (694,100). The total number of persons employed full-time in South Australia was 501,500 in September 2003, 5.1% higher than the September 2002 estimate. In September 2003, the unemployment rate for South Australia was 6.0%, compared with 6.4% in September 2002 and the participation rate was 61.9%, 1.2 percentage points higher than the rate in September 2002.



Graph - EMPLOYED PERSONS
Graph - TREND UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
FINANCIAL MARKETS

The value of secured housing finance commitments (excluding alterations and additions) was $663.4m in August 2003. This was an increase of 1.3% over the previous month and 31.7% over the value of commitments in August 2002 ($503.9m).


Graph - SECURED HOUSING FINANCE COMMITMENTS

(a) Excludes alterations and additions. Includes refinancing.


For further information about these and related statistics, contact Felicité McCracken on Adelaide 08 8237 7604, or any ABS office.