14. It may be recalled at this etage that a number of developPente, both internal end external, roughly coincided with the period of the 19808 when the debate on dieinveotment from South Africa aeeumed considerable international importance. Firet, the overall investment rate (capital fornration) of the economy ehowed a marked decline, from 26.4 Der cent in 1980 to 19.5 oer cent in 19Sj. Tha stagnant ecommic~growth and sometimes negative growth-rates of the South Africen economy recorded in 1982, 1983 and 1985 were mainly a reflection of this slow but steady daceleration in its overall iuvee-beat ratio. Secondly, the fluctuating price of gold introduced a certain aaiount of instability in the country’s external re8ourcee. which compelled recourse to ercbm,ge control0 and Other restrictive m888ures. Thirdly, a variety of internal developente, conetituting an altogether different set of deetabilising factore, euch 8e repeated statea of 8margency. media reetrictione, maee detention, induatrhl action by workeru, bannings, political trials, etc., produced a climate not conducive to bueinere confidence . Recent otudiee on the South Africa economy conclude that, at the current annual population growth of 2.3 per cant (black population growth ie 2.8 per cent), it is neceesary for the economy to grow at a minti of 5 per cent per nnnum to avoid further kteneification of unemployment which, according to unofficial eatimatee, etands et es high ae 6 sillion. Thue, 88 coneequ8nce of declining fioences, the volatility of gold-baaed export a *I The preowt chapter relies mainly on documents E/1989/17, E/C.10/1989/7. E/C.10/1989/8, E/C.10/1909/9, B/C.10/1900/7 eubmitted to the Cosmoieeion on Trenonational Corporatione, Bsate Klein, entitiei ::- end on the report prepared by ~ranenatiuaai corporate dieiuvee~ani f*ti Aiti&ir Selective dioengagement” (United Nation8 Centre againot m, Notee end docuuk3nts - 13/88, August 1988). /... A/45/552 English Page 8 earnines, an annual inflation rate of about 15 9er cent, repayment obligations 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the economic situation in South Africa during the 1980s, including the decline in investment rate, stagnant economic growth, and fluctuating gold prices. It also mentions internal developments that affected business confidence and the need for the economy to grow at a certain rate to avoid further unemployment. This suggests that the text is primarily focused on economic development and its related issues.

**Category**
Economic development