South Africa’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 32,9 %, and is among the highest in the world. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), this is an increase of 0,2 of a percentage point compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. While the unemployment rate may be high,   read more »

A country’s currency is a fundamental component of its national identity. The South African Reserve Bank unveiled upgraded banknotes and coins which help us celebrate our Constitution’s diverse languages and national heritage which make us proudly and uniquely South African. The new banknotes will preserve the theme which honour former president Nelson Mandela by depicting   read more »

In 2022 the estimated population of South Africa included more than five million people aged 60 or older. This represents a 9,2 percent share of the overall South African population. According to a report by Statistics South Africa titled Marginalised Groups Series VI: The Social Profile of Older Persons, 2017–2021, more than half (60,9%) of   read more »

Anecdotes about steep property price rises in the City of Cape Town are not without merit. Stats SA’s new residential property price index (RPPI) compares how housing prices have increased since 2010 across the eight metropolitan municipalities and nine provinces. Since 2010, residential property prices have grown by 141% in the City of Cape Town,   read more »

In 2021, about 2,1 million (11,6%) of South African households reported experiencing hunger.   South Africa faces challenges ranging from high unemployment and poverty to the ongoing energy crisis and rising costs of living. These impact negatively on South Africa’s state of food security by making food expensive and inaccessible to many and increasing the   read more »

Water outages across the country have focussed attention on water as a vital resource. South Africa is a semi-arid country, with only a few natural source areas for water. These areas, referred to as Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), provide much of the water that flows from our taps. SWSAs can be thought of as   read more »

In 2018, females accounted for 51,3% of cancers diagnosed in South Africa while males accounted for 48,6%. The median age at diagnosis of cancer was 59 years for females and 64 years for males. However, the median age at death due to cancer was 62 for females and 64 for males, suggesting that cancer in   read more »

Language is the primary tool for expression and communication. It is through language that we define our identity, express our history and culture, learn, defend our human rights and participate in all aspects of society to name a few. Every nation should ensure that languages are preserved and protected. In South Africa, South African Sign   read more »

After rallying in the third quarter of 2022, South African gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 1,3% in the fourth quarter (October‒December).1 Growth was dragged lower mainly by finance, trade, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and general government services. Finance and trade the biggest drags on growth Seven of the ten industries contracted in the fourth quarter.   read more »

MEDIA RELEASE 28 February 2023 Child Series Volume I: Children exposed to maltreatment, 2021   Despite the abolishment of corporal punishment in South African schools in 1997, it is still used as a form of discipline. This is according to the Children exposed to maltreatment, 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa today. The report   read more »