Category Archives: Economy Data Stories

2022: A rocky road for product prices

2022: A rocky road for product prices

Consumer inflation hit its highest level in 13 years during 2022. The average inflation rate for the year (6,9%) hides the differences in timing and extent of price increases for different product groups. Transport and food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) had the biggest impact on overall inflation. Breaking the year down, the headline rate was   read more »


Inflation softens for a second month

Inflation softens for a second month

Annual consumer price index (CPI) inflation registered its second monthly decline in December, edging lower to 7,2% from 7,4% in November and 7,6% in October. The monthly rate in December was 0,4%.   The December release concludes the results for the calendar year. Average annual inflation for 2022 was 6,9%, higher than the 4,5% recorded   read more »


Inflation softens to 7,4%

Inflation softens to 7,4%

Consumer price inflation moderated slightly in November to 7,4% from 7,6% in October. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,3% in November, slightly lower than the 0,4% recorded in October. The three categories with the highest annual inflation rates in November were transport (15,3%), food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) (12,5%) and   read more »


South African GDP grows by 1,6%

South African GDP grows by 1,6%

After contracting by 0,7% in the second quarter of 2022, the economy rallied in the third quarter, expanding by 1,6%.1 The agriculture, finance, transport and manufacturing industries were the main drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side of the economy was lifted by a rise in exports and government   read more »


Government spending breaches R2 trillion

Government spending breaches R2 trillion

South African government spending broke the R2 trillion mark in the 2020/21 financial year. Large increases in expenditure were recorded for social protection, health, and general public services as the country battled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, total revenue declined on the back of lower taxes received. The Financial statistics of consolidated general government   read more »


Black Friday and shifts in consumer behaviour

Black Friday and shifts in consumer behaviour

With Black Friday upon us, South African consumers have begun scouting for the latest deals. Monthly retail trade sales data show how Black Friday has shifted shopping behaviour over time. Consumers splurge during the festive season The graphic below shows the distribution of retail trade sales by month, for the year 2019. If all months   read more »


Inflation inches higher in October

Inflation inches higher in October

Consumer price inflation picked up slightly in October, rising to 7,6% from 7,5% in September. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%, up from 0,1%. Bread & cereals, meat and dairy drive food prices higher The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages edged higher to 12,0% from 11,9% in September.   read more »


The public-sector: Shy on infrastructure investment

The public-sector: Shy on infrastructure investment

Data from 745 institutions provides an update on public-sector investment in infrastructure. A number of institutions pulled back on capital expenditure in 2021, while others increased their spending. Public-sector capital expenditure decreased by R6,1 billion (-3,0%) between 2020 and 2021, from R204,3 billion to R198,2 billion, representing the fifth consecutive year of decline. Capital expenditure represents money spent   read more »


Economic, social and political empowerment are critical for achieving gender equality in SA

Economic, social and political empowerment are critical for achieving gender equality in SA

More than half (51,1%) of the South African population are female[1] and, according to the General Household Survey (GHS) 2021, more than two-fifths (42,0%) of households are headed by females. While women empowerment is central to the global development agenda and is a stepping stone to gender equality, a new report released by Statistics South   read more »


Inflation cools for a second month

Inflation cools for a second month

Annual consumer price inflation slowed to 7,5% in September from 7,6% in August, edging further down from the 13-year high of 7,8% recorded in July. Fuel prices declined for a second consecutive month, contributing to the softer headline rate. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) for September was 0,1%, lower than 0,2%   read more »