PRESS STATEMENT APRIL 2015 Highlights The effects of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis on the South African economy continued to linger in 2014. This, combined with factors such as constrained electricity supply and labour unrest, has negatively impacted on the performance of the economy. Slowing growth rates over the period 2010–2013 (averaging 2,7%), continued into   read more »

Motor trade sales grew 0,6% year-on-year in February 2015 to R44,4 billion (current prices), according to preliminary results released by Stats SA. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for used vehicle sales (16,7%), sales of accessories (8,6%) and convenience store sales (5,7%). New vehicle sales were up by 1,8%. Year-on-year decreases were recorded for   read more »

Modern tools of communication and dissemination of data create greater possibilities for access, understanding and use.  Stats SA and the African Development Bank have created the attached animation to tell the story of trade potential in Africa. The Statistician-General (SG) for South Africa, Mr Pali Lehohla, will share a presentation with the 24th African Union   read more »

At the end of August 2014, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed an Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development. The Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla, is one of those appointed to this group. For a full list of members please click here. The IEAG has been asked to craft   read more »

Patrick Kelly – Executive manager for Price statistics, Statistics South Africa, explores the true cost of ‘Braai Day’. South Africans love meat. This is obvious from our cultural affinity for a braai or ShisaNyama. Many celebrated ‘Braai Day’ on this week’s Heritage Day holiday. This importance is also evident from the prominence of meat products   read more »

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) estimates the population of South Africa to be 54 million as at July 2014, where about 30,0% of the population is aged younger than 15 years and approximately 8,4% (4,54 million) is 60 years or older. The Mid-year population estimates further indicate that approximately fifty-one per cent (approximately 27,64 million)   read more »

Phakisa (Hurry up in Sotho) was the Minister in the Presidency, the honourable Jeff Radebe’s message to those gathered at the Statistical Symposium to address the strengthening of the South African National Statistical System (SANSS). After a rousing welcome from the Stats SA choir, joined by the SG, the Minister addressed the meeting, which included   read more »

On 18 July of 1918, somewhere in a small village in the world, on the African continent, in South Africa, in the Transkei, in Mvezo, a royal baThembu family was blessed with a baby boy – a boy who rose to become a world icon – a boy who today stands head and shoulders above   read more »

In 1998, 78% of birth registrations were late (births not registered in the same year, e.g. a child born in 2010 is only registered in 2012). By 2012, late birth registrations had decreased to 21%. The Department of Home Affairs has made concerted efforts to ensure that registration of births is made as easy as   read more »

A new report on the living circumstances of young children shows that, while 93% of young children have both biological parents still living, only 36% of them live with both biological parents. Most young children (43%) live with only their biological mother, 2% live with their biological father only, and 19% do not live with   read more »