1307.4 - South Australian Economic Indicators, Jan 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/12/2003   
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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 October 2003 was $651.6m. This was a decrease of 2.8% over September 2003 and was 5.0% less than the value of exports in October 2002 ($685.9m).

The value of South Australian merchandise imports (in original terms) for October 2003 was $443.8m. This was an increase of 2.4% from $433.5m recorded in September 2003 and 19.3% less than the October 2002 figure of $549.9m.


Graph - Merchandise Exports and Imports



CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT

In the twelve months to October 2003, retail turnover increased by 2.9% to $1,112.6m. This was also an increase of 0.1% from the September 2003 figure of $1,111.2m.

October 2003 saw a total of 5,439 new motor vehicle sales- an increase of 1.0% on the previous month's figure of 5,383 vehicles, and 22.4% higher than the 4,444 vehicles recorded in October 2002.




Graph - Retail Turnover
Graph - New Motor Vehicle Sales


Private new capital expenditure in the September quarter was $956m, an increase of 16.4% on the September quarter 2002, and a decrease of 16.4% over the June quarter 2003. Expenditure for the financial year 2002-03 was $4,020m, an increase of 29.1% over the previous financial year.


HOUSING

In October 2003 the estimated number of dwelling units approved in South Australia was 984, 29 units more than for the same period last year. The trend for private sector houses has continued to rise 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 710,700 in November 2003, lower than the peak in June 2003 (718,900) but higher than the level of twelve months ago (699,000). The total number of persons employed full-time in South Australia was 492,600 in November 2003, 1.5% higher than the November 2002 estimate of 485,400.

The estimate of the unemployment rate for South Australia was 6.2% in November 2003. The estimate of the participation rate in South Australia was 61.3% in November 2003 compared with 60.8% in November 2002.


Graph - Employed Persons
Graph - Unemployment Rate- Trend
FINANCIAL MARKETS

The value of secured housing finance commitments (excluding alterations and additions) was $730.0m in October 2003. This was an increase of 3.2% over the previous month and 46.7% over the value of commitments in October 2002 ($498.0m).

Graph - Secured Housing Finance Commitments
(a) Excludes alterations and additions. Includes re-financing.


For further information about these and related statistics, contact Ann Halford on Adelaide 08 8237 7408, or any ABS office.