IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

There are two reasons to be excited about two recent manufacturing reports. First, covering the results of a detailed 2021 survey, the reports provide provincial- and district-level data. Second, they offer detailed insight into the state of the manufacturing industry in South Africa in terms of employment, finances, and the quantities of manufactured products. The   read more »

Annual headline inflation cooled to 5,4% in June from 6,3% in May, sinking below the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. The last time inflation was below 6% was in April 2022. The rate in June is the lowest reading in 20 months (since October 2021) when the rate was 5,0%. The   read more »

A wide range of indicators inform municipal financial health. In 2014, National Treasury published a uniform set of financial norms and ratios for local government.1 Stats SA recently published data that can be used to inform these norms. In the examples below, we explore how municipalities fare in terms of remuneration and contracted services. Paying   read more »

Stats SA published 26 statistical releases in June, shedding light on the current state of the economy. SA narrowly averts recession The month began with the release of the latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures. After faltering in the fourth quarter of 2022, the South African economy expanded by 0,4% in the first quarter of   read more »

One of the important tasks of national government is to redistribute funds, mainly received from taxes, to other sectors of the economy. These transfers serve a financial lifeline to diverse groups which includes households, public corporations, local and international organisations, and other levels of government. Key areas of spending On the revenue side, national government   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2023) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 21 000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of employment to almost 10 million. The survey showed that 97 000 jobs were lost between March 2022 and March   read more »

Headline consumer inflation cooled for a second consecutive month in May to 6,3% from 6,8% in April. May’s reading is the lowest since April 2022 when the rate was 5,9%. The month-on-month change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2% in May. The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) was 11,8%, lower than   read more »

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has become aware of a site that is fraudulently inviting applications for positions at the organisation. Stats SA uses two platforms for recruitment – the HR Database (https://apps.statssa.gov.za/HRRecruitment/) for short-term contract positions, and the e-Recruitment platform (https://apps.statssa.gov.za/erecruitment/#/browseJobs) for permanent positions. Please do not use any other platform to apply for   read more »

After contracting by a revised 1,1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, real gross domestic product (GDP) edged higher in the first quarter of 2023 (January‒March), expanding by an estimated 0,4%.1 The manufacturing and finance industries were the major drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side was lifted by   read more »

Stats SA published 21 statistical releases in the month of May, providing valuable insight into the current state of our economy. Here is a brief rundown of important indicators. Inflation edged lower in April Despite the ongoing stresses of rising prices and escalating costs of debt, there were some hopeful signs from the latest inflation   read more »