Although the mining industry strengthened company tax collections after the COVID-19 pandemic, its momentum has recently waned. The importance of CIT Company income tax (CIT) was the third largest source of government tax revenue in 2021/22, according to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).1 Personal income tax was the largest contributor (35,5%), followed by value-added   read more »

The formal non-agricultural sector added 39 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2023, reaching almost 10,1 million jobs. According to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2023) survey released by Stats SA, there was a year-on year net increase of 104 000 jobs. Between March and June 2023, total (full- and part-time) employment rose   read more »

After a two-year hiatus, Stats SA has released an experimental set of provincial gross domestic product (GDP) data. Provincial-level figures used to be included annually with the GDP release. Following the publication of the 2019 data, the provincial series was temporarily held back as Stats SA embarked on a complete revamp of national accounts. This   read more »

After four consecutive months of decline, annual consumer inflation pushed up in August, rising to 4,8% from 4,7% in July. Inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) continued to cool, taking some of the heat off the headline rate. This was not enough, however, to counteract a rise in fuel prices and increases in municipal   read more »

South African real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0,6% in the second quarter (April–June) of 2023.1 This follows a 0,4% rise in the first quarter. Overview Six industries on the supply side of the economy grew in the second quarter, with manufacturing and finance driving much of the upward momentum. On the demand side,   read more »

Stats SA published 28 statistical releases in the month of August. Here is a monthly rundown of important economic indicators. Consumer and producer inflation continue to cool Inflation figures continue to provide some good news. Remaining on a downward path, consumer headline inflation slowed to its lowest reading in two years. The annual change in   read more »

Extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs) involved in the transport sector increased their spending in the 2021/22 fiscal year. However, despite the rise, expenditure is still below pre-pandemic levels. South Africa’s 256 EBAs are public institutions. They form an important arm of general government, responsible for delivering services to the public on behalf of government. Examples   read more »

As Women’s Month draws to a close, recent data provides a snapshot of gender representation in local government. In 2021, South Africa’s municipal workforce numbered 282 286 individuals. Of these, 13 492 were senior-level posts, which include directors and managers.1 Women occupied 5 312 (or 39%) of these senior-level positions, according to Stats SA’s latest Non-financial census of   read more »

New data released by Statistics South Africa shows that household crimes such as housebreaking, home robbery and theft of motor vehicles experienced in the twelve months preceding the interview increased compared to 2021/22. Crimes experienced by individuals have also increased, except for consumer fraud and hijacking of motor vehicles, which dropped in 2022/23. According to   read more »

Annual consumer inflation slumped to 4,7% in July from 5,4% in June. This is the lowest reading since July 2021, when the rate was 4,6%. Consumer prices increased on average by 0,9% between June 2023 and July 2023. This is up from the monthly rise of 0,2% recorded in both May and June. Transport taps the brakes on   read more »