Business was more favourable during the recent Christmas season when compared with December 2013, with retail sales increasing by 3,4% in real terms. However, despite better sales during the festive period, the longer-term pattern reveals a slowdown in growth over the last three years. After falling by 3,2% in real terms in 2009 (largely the   read more »

Annual CPI inflation dropped to 4,4% in January 2015 from 5,3% in December 2014, the lowest since April 2011, when the CPI stood at 4,2%. Key drivers pulling the CPI down were petrol and food. The 127c/l drop in the price of petrol in January further contributed to the decline in the CPI for petrol,   read more »

Since 2000, the United Nations (UN) member states observe International Mother Language Day on 21 February. This day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 1999. The purpose of the celebration is to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The UN encourages member   read more »

Mining production decreased by 1,5% in 2014 compared with 2013. The negative outcome was largely the result of declines in platinum group metals (PGMs) (‑28,7%) and gold (‑5,1%). Iron ore production grew by 12,6% in 2014 and coal grew by 2,0%. The sharp decline in PGMs in 2014 was the result of widespread strikes in   read more »

South Africa’s manufacturing industry is dominated by three sectors, namely food & beverages, petroleum & chemical products1, and metals & machinery2. Together these three sectors account for two thirds of total manufacturing production. Manufacturing production showed very little change in 2014 compared with 2013. Stats SA’s preliminary estimate recorded a slight contraction of 0,1%, following   read more »

Less electricity was generated in South Africa in 2014 compared with 2013. Recent data show that national electricity production has been in decline after peaking in 2011, highlighting the country’s continued struggle to keep the lights on. The latest Electricity produced and available for distribution publication, released by Stats SA on Thursday, 5 February 2014,   read more »

The 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death release shows that HIV disease has moved from being ranked sixth in 2012 to being ranked third in 2013. Of the 458 933 deaths registered at the Department of Home Affairs in 2013 and processed by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), 5,1% were due to HIV disease, an increase   read more »

Modern tools of communication and dissemination of data create greater possibilities for access, understanding and use.  Stats SA and the African Development Bank have created the attached animation to tell the story of trade potential in Africa. The Statistician-General (SG) for South Africa, Mr Pali Lehohla, will share a presentation with the 24th African Union   read more »

Invitation to the 2nd ISIbalo Lecture A World That Counts – Data Revolution for the post-2015 sustainable development goals agenda: Talk at the University of Pretoria The Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla, has great pleasure in inviting you to the Data Revolution Outreach Programme, to be hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of   read more »

Sharp decreases in the prices of manufactured petroleum products drove producer inflation down, from 6,5% year-on-year in November to 5,8% in December. However, there were noticeable increases in year-on-year prices for meat, tobacco and dairy products. Stats SA’s latest Producer Price Index publication, released on Thursday, 29 January 2015, shows that prices for final manufactured   read more »