Category Archives: Health

Wellbeing of children in SA is vital for a brighter future

Wellbeing of children in SA is vital for a brighter future

The old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, has often been quoted to emphasise what it takes to raise a successful and well-rounded child into adulthood. Raising a child requires attention to their inner and outer growth at every phase of their lives. However, when measuring the overall wellbeing of children,   read more »


Mapping vulnerability to COVID-19

Mapping vulnerability to COVID-19

With South Africa officially facing its second wave of COVID-19 infections, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released an innovative online mapping tool that shows which communities may be more adversely affected by COVID-19 outbreaks. The South African Covid-19 Vulnerability Index (VIndex) was developed as a way of using the smallest area population data available   read more »


Loss of income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to higher levels of food insecurity SA

Loss of income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to higher levels of food insecurity SA

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has embarked on a series of three online web-based surveys to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals in the country to assist government and other stakeholders in their response to the crisis. The second round of the survey (Wave 2) focused on employment, income and hunger-related issues   read more »


COVID-19: Nine in ten businesses report reduced turnover

COVID-19: Nine in ten businesses report reduced turnover

The second wave of Stats SA’s COVID-19 business impact survey provides an update on how South African businesses are currently faring under lockdown. The first impact survey covered the period 30 March to 13 April 2020, and the results were published on 21 April.1 The survey asked firms in the formal sector how the COVID-19   read more »


COVID-19:  Greater concern about economic collapse than health

COVID-19: Greater concern about economic collapse than health

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has embarked on a series of three online surveys to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households in the country. This report is the first wave in the series and focuses on health-related aspects in terms of behaviour, knowledge and perceptions with regard to COVID-19. The survey was   read more »


More than 1 million births registered in 2018

More than 1 million births registered in 2018

Just over 1 million births were registered in South Africa in 2018. According to the Recorded live births, 2018 report released by Statistics South Africa, this reflects an increase of 2,0% from 2017 to 2018. A total of 1 009 065 births were registered in 2018. This includes the total number of births that occurred and   read more »


Provincial government spending: Education and health

Provincial government spending: Education and health

South Africa’s 123 provincial government departments spent just over R17 600 per second in the 2017/18 fiscal year. That represents a total of R557 billion over a period of 365 days. The bulk of the money flowed into provincial governments’ two main areas of responsibility: education and health. Education took up the lion’s share. For every R100   read more »


World Population Day: How does SA compare?

World Population Day: How does SA compare?

By mid-2018, according to the Mid-year population estimates released by Stats SA, South Africa’s population stood at 57,73 million people, which is less than one per cent (0,75%) of the total world population. According to the UN, the total world population is estimated at 7,7 billion people in 2019 and will exceed 8 billion by   read more »


World Toilet Day 2018

World Toilet Day 2018

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around 60% of the global population, or 4,5 billion people, either have no toilet at home or one that doesn’t safely manage excreta. To commemorate World Toilet Day, which is celebrated on 19 November, the focus will be on improving access   read more »


The latest household statistics and more

Service delivery protests in South Africa have become a widespread occurrence in recent years. Residents take to the streets in protest against poor services received in their communities, hoping that their voices will be heard and their problems fixed. Communities are raising their voices about issues such as access to electricity, housing, water and sanitation,   read more »