Category Archives: Economy Data Stories

Government finances: Social spending jumped in 2020/21

Government finances: Social spending jumped in 2020/21

The 254 institutions known as extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs) form an important arm of government. Financial data for 2020/21 (1 April to 31 March) show a sharp rise in EBA spending as government rushed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Much of the increase was on social benefits, mainly for the COVID-19 Temporary   read more »


Economic recovery from COVID-19: Not all countries are equal

Economic recovery from COVID-19: Not all countries are equal

The South African economy took almost two years to recover from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this compare with other countries? After plummeting in the second quarter of 2020 – when lockdown restrictions were at their most stringent – South African gross domestic product (GDP) clawed itself back to pre-pandemic levels in   read more »


Nearly half of SA women are out of the labour force in Q2:2022

Nearly half of SA women are out of the labour force in Q2:2022

Globally, women who are looking for work and are available to work have a tougher time finding work than men. This phenomenon is more pronounced in South Africa, with higher unemployment rates for the general population as compared to the rest of the world. In 2022, 47,0% of South African women were recorded as economically   read more »


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 »