Category Archives: Economy Data Stories

Municipal finances and electricity: 11 years in perspective

Municipal finances and electricity: 11 years in perspective

Rising prices are hitting consumers hard, and the cost of electricity is no different. Municipalities play a significant role in the distribution of electricity in South Africa. Acting mostly as intermediaries, municipalities buy electricity from Eskom and then resell it to businesses, homes and other institutions. Eskom tariffs and purchases and sales of electricity A   read more »


Don’t throw in the towel!

Don’t throw in the towel!

Your chances of finding a job are much higher if you continue your search for employment. Estimates from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released by Statistics South Africa, show that the likelihood of finding employment is much higher if you continue to search for work or are available to take up a job or start   read more »


Consumer inflation surges to a 13-year high

Consumer inflation surges to a 13-year high

Annual consumer inflation jumped to 7,4% in June from 6,5% in May, mainly driven by rising transport and food prices. The June rate is the highest reading since May 2009 (8,0%) when the economy was facing the headwind of currency depreciation during the global financial crisis. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1,1% between   read more »


Bucket toilets increase in 2020

Bucket toilets increase in 2020

After six years of steady decline, the number of consumer units serviced with a municipal bucket toilet jumped from 42 434 in 2019 to 47 130 in 2020. Increases were reported in seven of South Africa’s 257 municipalities. This represents a rise of 4 696 consumer units, according to data from the latest Non-financial census of municipalities statistical   read more »


The impact of COVID-19 on national government finances in the 2020/2021 financial year

The impact of COVID-19 on national government finances in the 2020/2021 financial year

Total revenue collection of national government decreased by R95 billion from R1 385 billion in 2019/2020 to R1 290 billion in 2020/2021. The revenue streams in national government are taxes collected, grants and ‘other’ receipts (this comprises sales of goods and services and interest). Taxes collected contributed about 97% of total revenue. The decrease of   read more »


Formal non-agricultural sector employment up in first quarter of 2022

Formal non-agricultural sector employment up in first quarter of 2022

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2022) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 42 000 in the first quarter of 2022, bringing the level of total employment to approximately 10,1 million. The survey showed that jobs increased by 200 000 between March 2021 and   read more »


What do South African households look like?

What do South African households look like?

In 2021, South Africa had a population of approximately 60,5 million people. Although some South Africans resided in institutions such as hospitals and old age homes, SA had an estimated 18 million households, with an average household size of 3,34 persons. A quick glance at the General Household Survey, 2021 (GHS) released by Statistics South   read more »


Consumer inflation jumps to a 5-year high

Consumer inflation jumps to a 5-year high

Annual consumer price inflation quickened to 6,5% in May from 5,9% in April and March, breaking through the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. This is the highest reading since January 2017 when the rate was 6,6%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,7%. The   read more »


After two years, GDP returns to pre-pandemic levels

After two years, GDP returns to pre-pandemic levels

South African gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1,9% in the first quarter of 2022, representing a second consecutive quarter of upward growth.1 The size of the economy is now at pre-pandemic levels, with real GDP slightly higher than what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This release covers the first quarter of the year   read more »


Foot-and-mouth: Where do the livestock live?

Foot-and-mouth: Where do the livestock live?

Foot-and-mouth disease is scary. The recent outbreak, identified in at least five provinces, has serious implications for the livestock industry. Stats SA takes a look at the revenue streams that might be affected, and identifies where vulnerable industries might be located. What products does agriculture depend on the most? The disease is relentless. It spreads   read more »