This is the fourth consecutive month of increasing GDP following the large drops in March and April, but represents a slowdown from the increase of 6.4% in July.

Despite the increases in the last four months, GDP remains 9.4% below the level in February, prior to the direct impacts of COVID-19.

Output in the services sector is estimated to have increased by 3.3% compared to July, but remains 10.3% below its level in February. Output in the production sector fell by 0.3%, and remains 5.6% below its level in February, and construction sector output is estimated to have increased by 3.8% in August, but remains 9.4% below its level in February.

The rolling quarterly growth rate, comparing June-August to March-May, has returned to positive growth with an increase of 5.0%, following consecutive falls in each of the last two full quarters between January and June.

In August there has been a more uneven pattern of growth among the main sectors of the economy than seen in recent months.