It is often said that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. A good education is worth its weight in gold, but recent figures released by Stats SA indicate that South African households will have to make more room in their budgets to pay for rising tuition fees. Stats SA updates education inflation figures   read more »

PRESS STATEMENT APRIL 2015 Highlights The effects of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis on the South African economy continued to linger in 2014. This, combined with factors such as constrained electricity supply and labour unrest, has negatively impacted on the performance of the economy. Slowing growth rates over the period 2010–2013 (averaging 2,7%), continued into   read more »

Motor trade sales grew 0,6% year-on-year in February 2015 to R44,4 billion (current prices), according to preliminary results released by Stats SA. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for used vehicle sales (16,7%), sales of accessories (8,6%) and convenience store sales (5,7%). New vehicle sales were up by 1,8%. Year-on-year decreases were recorded for   read more »

We welcome you back from the well-deserved Easter holidays after what surely had been a hectic start to the year, and with so much to accomplish. For many people this was a time to visit friends and families across the country, while others enjoyed the search for Easter eggs; nevertheless, we trust that you all   read more »

South African households spent R91,6 billion on ICT products in 2012, contributing 4,6% of total household expenditure. This is one of the findings from the Information and Communication Technology satellite account for South Africa report, which provides an overview of the economic role of the ICT sector in South Africa, in terms of household expenditure,   read more »

Municipal purchases and sales of water and electricity followed expected seasonal patterns in the quarter ended December 2014. Municipalities spent an additional 12,9% on water purchases, compared with the quarter ended September 2014. Municipal income generated from water sales increased by 20,0%. There were decreases in both purchases of electricity (-27,9%) and sales of electricity   read more »

Want to know more about how various parts of South Africa’s economy are performing? Then Stats SA’s Monthly economic indicators report might be for you. Available from the Stats SA Roambi app, the report includes a variety of economic indicators from selected Stats SA publications. Available as interactive time-series charts, the following indicators are included:   read more »

The tourism industry continues to play an important role in the South African economy. The latest Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa report provides an overview of tourism’s contribution in terms of spending, employment and its impact on the gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism direct GDP was R103,6 billion in 2013, rising from R93,5 billion   read more »

South Africa’s natural resources in the spotlight The natural environment provides resources that drive the economy and other human activities. Stats SA recently released estimates on the amount of energy, mineral and fishery resources available in South Africa, and the extent to which these are being consumed. The following are three interesting observations from the   read more »

The December 2014 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that total formal non-agricultural employment increased by 42 000 jobs from 8 947 000 in the third quarter to 8 989 000 in the fourth quarter of 2014. The quarterly increase was mainly due to increases reported by the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor   read more »