The South African economy slumped sharply in the first three months of 2019, contracting by 3,2%. This is according to Stats SA’s latest gross domestic product (GDP) release. Seven of the ten industries took a knock, with manufacturing, mining and trade the biggest contributors to the fall. The 3,2% decline is the biggest quarterly fall   read more »

If you’re a hardcore Game of Thrones fan planning viewing parties for the final (eighth) season, historical data from Stats SA’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) release provides a glimpse of how viewing party expenses have changed over the last eight years. Some of the figures might surprise you. Explore dragons, castles, decoders and wine, as   read more »

Each province is unique. Data published recently by Stats SA provide a portrait of South Africa’s provincial economies. Here are four facts you might not have known about our economic landscape. Explore the genetic makeup of our provincial economies, and other stories, in this edition of Stats Biz. Download Stats Biz – March 2019

Mining lost some of its shine in 2018. Production fell by 1,6%, down from the 3,9% rise in 2017. Gold, copper and iron ore were the biggest drags on activity. South African diamond production climbed by 7,7% in 2018, however, the fourth consecutive year of positive growth for the precious stone. Explore mining production, and   read more »

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 »

The South African economy grew by 2,2% quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter of 2018, bringing to an end the country’s second recession since 1994. Higher contributions to growth in a number of industries – most notably in manufacturing, transport as well as finance and business services – were enough to lift economic growth back into   read more »

South Africa’s 20 universities and 6 universities of technology spent R5,89 billion on capital expenditure in 2017. The bulk was directed towards the construction and maintenance of buildings such as laboratories, lecture halls and residences. The second most important item was furniture, taking up 14% of capital expenditure. Explore capital expenditure, and other stories, in   read more »

It might sound like an anecdote from a reminiscing grandparent, that there was a time you could completely fill your petrol tank (45 litres) with just R270. Those good old days weren’t that long ago, actually. The price of inland 95-octane petrol fell to a low of R6,01 in January 2009 on the back of   read more »

Stats Biz – August 2018 Eskom and Transnet were the two biggest public-sector spenders on fixed assets (or capital expenditure) such as plant, machinery, new construction works and transport equipment. Eskom was responsible for 28% of total capital expenditure while Transnet was in second spot at 9%. Explore capital expenditure, and other stories, in this   read more »

Stats Biz – July 2018 Annual food inflation continues to slow despite April’s rise in value added tax (VAT). In fact, some food items are actually cheaper than they were a year ago. The items you are now paying less for are in the oil, bread, fruit and sugar categories. Explore the price of food,   read more »