The January 2014 statistical release of the Producer Price Index (to be released on 27 February) will show changes to the weights and basket of the indices.  The methodology of the new PPI series that was introduced last year is to update the weights on an annual basis. The PPI has weights at two levels.    read more »

The seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased at an annualised rate of 3,8 per cent. The main contributors to this increase in economic activity were the manufacturing industry (1,8 percentage points) and the mining and quarrying industry (0,8 of a percentage point). The manufacturing   read more »

The new SA Statistics Council, which was appointed from 1 July 2013, for a term of three years, was officially inaugurated by Mr Trevor Manuel, Minister in the Presidency responsible for National Planning, at a meeting in Ekurhuleni on 7 February 2014. The Statistics Council is appointed in terms of the Statistics Act (6 of 1999).   read more »

Inside this edition: Business Register  at the heart of economic statistics  p2; ‘The  struggle for a better life is not over p3; State of the vulnerable p4-5; Economic info at your fingertips p6; Timeline to democracy p7; Test your knowledge p8

2014 kicked off with an acceleration in the inflation rate to 5,8% from the 5,4% recorded in December last year.  A 3% monthly increase in the petrol price was the biggest factor driving the change.  Annual petrol inflation now stands at just under 15%. Food prices rose by 1,6% between December and January, mainly driven   read more »

Most of us start every year with proclamation of goals we would like to attain in that year. For some, however, these are just resolutions for New Year’s Day and are quickly forgotten as soon as the first month of the year ends. As we put 2013 – the year in which we laid to   read more »

Statistical agencies across the world periodically revise published statistical series when new information becomes available. So too does Stats SA. In the past, labour market information has been revised following the release of the results of Census 1996, Census 2001 and the large-scale Community Survey of 2007. Similarly, the current revision has been undertaken to   read more »

Based on revised estimates, in quarter 4 of 2013, employment levels rose to 15,2 million – surpassing the peak reached in quarter 4 of 2008 during the pre-recession period. However, quarterly job gains of 141 000 in quarter 4 of 2013 were largely due to an increase in informal sector employment of 123 000. In addition, most   read more »

If you were fortunate enough to go away during the December holidays, January may be the time you look back on how much it all cost you. CPI inflation for December 2013 was 5,4%, slightly higher than the 5,3% of November 2013. But most of the specific holiday costs are showing inflation rates above this average. If you   read more »

Inside this edition: In-depth look at SA’s job market p2; 2015 MDG’s on track p3; Provinces at a glance p4-5; Basic service delivery facts and figures p6; 20 years of freedom and democracy p7; Test your knowledge p8