Monthly Archives: February 2019

Mpumalanga to measure employment and business activities in the Province

  MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                      25 February 2019 Mpumalanga to measure employment and business activities in the Province The Statistician-General of South Africa, Mr Risenga Maluleke, together with Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane,  will launch the Mpumalanga Employment and Business Survey (MEBS) later this week. MEBS aims to acquire   read more »


Falling fuel prices drag inflation down

Falling fuel prices drag inflation down

Consumer inflation dropped to 4,0% in January 2019 from 4,5% in December 2018. This is the lowest annual rate since March 2018, when headline inflation came in at 3,8%. The actual index level is now lower than it was in October 2018, according to Stats SA’s latest Consumer Price Index release1. This means that, on average,   read more »


Mining production stumbles in 2018

Mining production stumbles in 2018

The Investing in African Mining Indaba, the world’s largest mining conference, ended a week ago in Cape Town. Investment promises made at the conference might have a positive impact on the future of the industry. Stats SA takes a look at how mining fared in 2018. Mining had a lacklustre year. Production fell by 1,6%   read more »


Mbalo Brief – February 2019

Languages play a vital role in human lives as a tool of communication, education, development and it is the foundation for each person’s unique identity, cultural history, traditions and memory. Despite their huge value, languages around the world continue to vanish at a worrying rate. In trying to protect and raise awareness of indigenous languages,   read more »


Dismal December for retailers

Dismal December for retailers

The most important month of the year for retail trade is December, when many consumers are on holiday and go Christmas shopping. But December 2018 was a tough month for retail in South Africa. The volume of sales fell by 1,4% year-on-year, which was the first negative annual growth rate since February 2017. The poor   read more »


Unemployment drops in fourth quarter of 2018

Unemployment drops in fourth quarter of 2018

South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased by 0,4 of a percentage point to 27,1% in the 4th quarter of 2018 compared to the 3rd quarter of 2018 according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa. The working-age population increased by 149 000 or 0,4% in the 4th quarter of 2018 compared   read more »


Manufacturing: winners and losers of 2018

Manufacturing: winners and losers of 2018

The manufacturing industry rebounded in 2018, recording its highest annual growth rate in five years. The food and beverages and automotive divisions were the major drivers behind the rise. However, manufacturers in communication equipment, electrical machinery and clothing failed to perform. Manufacturing production increased by 1,2% in 2018 compared with 2017, according to Stats SA’s   read more »


Quarterly Labour Force Survey – QLFS Q4:2018

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                                                              12 February 2019   Quarterly Labour Force Survey – QLFS Q4:2018   The results of the Quarterly   read more »


Statistics South Africa to release Quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) 4th Quarter 2018

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                                              read more »


Stats Biz – January 2019

When Stats SA published data in 2018 showing that one in every 22 working South Africans are employed in the tourism sector, it also provided additional tables showing how the tourism workforce is structured. Tourism jobs are mostly concentrated in three industries. Explore the tourism workforce, and other stories, in this edition of Stats Biz.   read more »