Monthly Archives: July 2013

The Fiscus injected 202bn into the SA economy in 2012

The South African government injected over R202 billion into the economy last year, says Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Capital Expenditure by Public Sector Survey released today. The survey found that the total actual capital expenditure by public-sector institutions increased by R21bn from R181bn in 2011 to R202bn in 2012. The bulk of spending went   read more »


Empowering communities through statistics

Do you know how many people live in your community? How many are unemployed? Do you know how many households in your area have access to safe water, electricity and refuse removal? While information at a national level can be interesting, what people really want is to know about the place where they live. To   read more »


What is GDP and its impact?

What is GDP and its impact?

Government and all businesses, from small to multinational, need the facts on the economy that this release provides. Aneen Jordaan reports The gross domestic product (GDP) of a country is one of the main indicators used to measure the performance of a country’s economy. The Macmillan dictionary defines economy as the system by which a   read more »


The power of place: My suburb, my township, my village

Silvertown is a township in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape named after all the silver zinc shacks used as housing in the area. After the Census 2011 place name data was released in the township in April 2013, the media reported Silvertown to be the worst place to live in South Africa. The census data provides   read more »


South Africans are living longer

South Africans are living longer

The mid-year population estimates are used to account for population change during the period between Censuses and usually takes place at the mid-year point. This is usually done annually, rather than over a period of time as is the case with census, which is conducted after every 5 or 10 years. This year’s mid-year population   read more »


The world of work

The world of work

Labour market information relates to three groups of individuals, those that are employed, those that are unemployed and those that are not economically active (e.g. homemakers, retirees and full-time students who do not wish to work). The most recent QLFS results show that in the first quarter of 2013, of the total population in the   read more »


What are South Africans dying of?

What are South Africans dying of?

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released a report dealing with Mortality and Causes of Death in South Africa. The release is based on data obtained from deaths that occurred in 2010 and were registered at the Department of Home Affairs.             Starting in 2007, less people have been dying   read more »


What is the Consumer Price Index?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures monthly changes in prices for a range of consumer products. Changes in the CPI record the rate of inflation. The CPI can also be used as a cost-of-living index. HOW IS THE CPI MEASURED? The prices of goods and services consumed by South Africans are used to calculate an   read more »


What do South Africans spend their money on

What do South Africans spend their money on

Statistics South Africa conducts an Income and Expenditure Survey (IES) every 5 years. The IES seeks to establish what South Africans spend their money on, so that the basket of goods which makes up the Consumer Price Index (CPI), used to calculate the inflation rate, can be updated. The last IES was conducted between September   read more »


Mbalo Brief – July 2013

The month of July is a special month to many people all over the world because it marks the last half of the year. Many consider this month as a chance to step back and evaluate their achievements and goals for the year.  What most people do not know about July is that it starts   read more »