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Bureau of Market Research

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HAPPINESS INDEX 2012 (18-03-2013)

The South African Constitution recognises societal aspirations for a just and prosperous society as central to influencing change in society for the betterment of all.  The influence of the graduate workforce is an important agent in attaining this lofty ideal.  Against this background, the first ever Happiness Index model for South Africa was pioneered by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at the University of South Africa (Unisa).  The study investigates both affective and evaluative happiness in so far as measures of day-to-day joys and satisfaction with one’s place in society are analysed. 

BMR UNISA RETAIL SALES FORECAST FOR 2013 (18-03-2013)

The Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) estimates formal retail sales to grow in real terms by 4.5% in 2013.  Although this forecast is positive it is slightly lower than in 2011 and 2012 when real retail sales increased by 6.0% and 5.7% respectively.

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    EVALUATING THE DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE 2011 SOUTH AFRICA CENSUS (27-02-2013)

    Censuses worldwide contain errors but the magnitude of the errors differs from one country to the other. The BMR evaluation indicates that, as with other censuses elsewhere in the world, the 2011 South Africa Census contains certain strengths and weaknesses. In this regard it would appear that overall the 2011 census was plagued by less coverage of males relative to females but the age distribution from the census was reasonably good.

    CONSUMER FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX, QUARTER 4, 2012 (12-02-2013)

    The pressure on consumers’ cash flow remains high and the outlook for 2013 is not necessarily looking any brighter. This is due to numerous factors, including the fact that the slow economic growth that South Africa experienced in 2012 is expected to continue into 2013. However, the low interest rate environment, which is expected to continue for the majority of this year, has provided some relief to consumers as they are trying to repay their debt burden. This helped them to feel less vulnerable.

    SOUTH AFRICAN HOUSEHOLD WEALTH INDEX, QUARTER 3, 2012 (12-02-2013)

    South African households experienced a sharp increase in their wealth in the third quarter of 2012 (Q3 2012) despite a spree of violent labour strikes. In real terms – which exclude the impact of price increases - South African households’ wealth increased at the most rapid quarterly rate since Q3 2010, whilst when measured at current prices (nominal terms) it experienced the fastest quarterly growth rate since Q4 2011.

    PROFILE OF THE FORMAL BUSINESS SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA, 2006-2010 (12-02-2013)

    Business development and growth should be elevated to become one of the SA government’s priority programmes, to urgently address the below average entrepreneurial and business performance of the country. Worldwide, there is a growing awareness that the promotion of productive and innovative entrepreneurship and new firm formation and growth is the only means of achieving sustainable global economic recovery and growth.

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