The decline in public-sector infrastructure spending

The decline in public-sector infrastructure spending

A simple picture can tell a striking story. The bell-shaped chart below shows the rise and subsequent decline of South African public-sector infrastructure investment. Capital expenditure represents the money that is spent on construction, machinery, equipment, land, buildings and other fixed assets. This form of investment has an impact on communication, travel, logistics and the   read more »


A decline in tuition fees dents higher education revenue

A decline in tuition fees dents higher education revenue

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions in 2020 impacted the finances of higher education institutions. There was a subdued increase in revenue, stifled by a decline in the collection of tuition fees. Higher education institutions spent less money, largely on the back of lower operational costs. Total revenue increased, but only marginally The amount   read more »


100 Day Countdown to the total count of the population in South Africa, Census 2022

Data Story                                                                    25 October 2021   100 Day Countdown to the total count of the population in South Africa, Census 2022 The 100 Day Countdown to Census Night of the next population count, Census 2022, starts on 25 October 2021. The night of 2 February 2022 will be the reference point on which everyone   read more »


New samples for monthly business cycle indicators

New samples for monthly business cycle indicators

Introduction In September 2021, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) implemented new samples for the following monthly surveys: P3041.2 – Manufacturing: Production and sales; P6141.2 – Wholesale trade sales; P6242.1 – Retail trade sales; P6343.2 – Motor trade sales; P6410 – Tourist accommodation; P6420 – Food and beverages; and P7162 – Land transport. New samples for   read more »


Consumer inflation quickens for a second month

Consumer inflation quickens for a second month

Annual consumer price inflation edged slightly higher to 5,0% in September from 4,9% in August and 4,6% in July. This represents the fifth consecutive month with annual inflation above the 4,5% midpoint of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%. Transport, food   read more »


Information on PPE Procurement

As stipulated in Treasury Instruction No 11. of 2021, and in the interests of transparency, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has published information related to PPE procurement by the department for the period March 2020 and ongoing, on its website. The information can be accessed here . This information will be updated on a monthly   read more »


Healthcare and education spending: GP and WC the odd ones out

Healthcare and education spending: GP and WC the odd ones out

Provincial government plays a vital role in the administration of the country’s health and education systems, responsible for providing basic education to learners and healthcare to those in need. These two mammoth tasks take up the bulk of provincial government spending. In the 2019/20 fiscal year, total provincial government expenditure was R628,8 billion. Education was the   read more »


The nature of South Africa’s protected area estate

The nature of South Africa’s protected area estate

Protected areas are national assets that serve as nodes in South Africa’s ecological infrastructure network, protecting ecosystems that deliver important services to people, such as the production of clean water, flood moderation, prevention of erosion, and the aesthetic value of the landscape. They provide a home for the country’s most iconic species as well as   read more »


SA formal non-agricultural sector jobs continue to decline in the 2nd quarter of 2021

SA formal non-agricultural sector jobs continue to decline in the 2nd quarter of 2021

Jobs in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 86 000 in the second quarter of 2021, bringing the total number of persons employed in the formal non-agricultural sector in South Africa to approximately 9,57 million. According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2021) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), formal sector jobs increased by   read more »


Consumer inflation edges up in August

Consumer inflation edges up in August

The annual change in the consumer price index (CPI) in August was 4,9%. This was slightly higher than July’s increase of 4,6% and identical to the reading in June. This is the fourth consecutive month where the annual increase is higher than the midpoint (4,5%) of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range.   read more »