Category Archives: Economy Data Stories

National government spending breaks the R2 trillion mark

The South African national government spent R2,04 trillion1 in the 2022/23 financial year, representing a rise of 6,1% from R1,92 trillion in 2021/22. Stats SA’s latest set of national government financial data shows how these funds were distributed. Just over half of total expenses in 2022/23 was allocated to grants paid to other levels of government, institutions   read more »


Consumer inflation holds steady in May

Consumer inflation holds steady in May

Annual consumer price inflation was 5,2% in May, unchanged from April. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%. Annual rates for four of the twelve product groups remained steady between April and May, including food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB). Higher rates were recorded for transport, alcoholic beverages & tobacco and recreation   read more »


Economy 0,1% weaker in the first quarter

Economy 0,1% weaker in the first quarter

Real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a marginal 0,1% in the first quarter (January–March) of 2024.1 This followed a revised 0,3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023. Weaker manufacturing, mining and construction drove much of the downward momentum on the production (supply) side of the economy, while the expenditure (demand) side witnessed a   read more »


Economic wrap-up for May 2024

Economic wrap-up for May 2024

Stats SA published 24 releases in May, with many providing a preliminary overview of economic performance in the first quarter (January–March). Key industries down in the first three months of the year Mining, manufacturing, electricity, construction, retail trade, motor trade and road transport were weaker in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the fourth   read more »


Consumer inflation slows for a second consecutive month

Consumer inflation slows for a second consecutive month

The consumer price index (CPI) recorded an annual increase of 5,2% in April, down from 5,3% in March and 5,6% in February. Housing & utilities, miscellaneous goods & services, food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) and transport were the main drivers behind the headline rate in April. The monthly change in the CPI was 0,3% in   read more »


Economic wrap-up for April 2024

Economic wrap-up for April 2024

  After a bumper month in March, Stats SA’s publication schedule was quieter in April. The statistical agency published 20 releases, many of which provide an update on the state of the economy. Consumer inflation remains above 5% Annual consumer inflation declined to 5,3% in March after climbing for the first two months of the   read more »


Economic wrap-up for March 2024

Economic wrap-up for March 2024

Stats SA had a packed publication schedule in March. The statistical agency published 37 releases in the month, including several annual and quarterly reports. Notable releases: Tourism, water and municipal services The headwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic hit all industries hard, including the tourism sector. Although tourism is slowly returning to an even keel, it   read more »


Road transport accident deaths on the increase in SA

Road transport accident deaths on the increase in SA

South Africa is part of the consortium of nations that signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations members in 2015. The aim of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Target 3.6 was to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. However, results of a   read more »


Economic growth muted as 2023 draws to a close

Economic growth muted as 2023 draws to a close

South Africa’s economy grew by a marginal 0,1%1 in the fourth quarter (October–December), taking the annual growth rate for 2023 to 0,6%. Real gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter was R1 158 billion. This is above the pre-COVID-19 reading of R1 150 billion, but still below the peak of R1 161 billion recorded in the third quarter   read more »


Economic wrap-up for February 2024

Economic wrap-up for February 2024

February is a highlight of Stats SA’s publication schedule, with the release of various economic indicators for December concluding the results for the previous year. The preliminary data point to a lacklustre 2023, with several indicators in the red (Figure 1). Mining production, electricity generation, construction (the value of buildings completed as reported by large municipalities),   read more »