Government finances: Social spending jumped in 2020/21
The 254 institutions known as extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs) form an important arm of government. Financial data for 2020/21 (1 April to 31 March) show a sharp rise in EBA spending as government rushed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Much of the increase was on social benefits, mainly for the COVID-19 Temporary read more »
Economic recovery from COVID-19: Not all countries are equal
The South African economy took almost two years to recover from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this compare with other countries? After plummeting in the second quarter of 2020 – when lockdown restrictions were at their most stringent – South African gross domestic product (GDP) clawed itself back to pre-pandemic levels in read more »
Nearly half of SA women are out of the labour force in Q2:2022
Globally, women who are looking for work and are available to work have a tougher time finding work than men. This phenomenon is more pronounced in South Africa, with higher unemployment rates for the general population as compared to the rest of the world. In 2022, 47,0% of South African women were recorded as economically read more »
Municipal finances and electricity: 11 years in perspective
Rising prices are hitting consumers hard, and the cost of electricity is no different. Municipalities play a significant role in the distribution of electricity in South Africa. Acting mostly as intermediaries, municipalities buy electricity from Eskom and then resell it to businesses, homes and other institutions. Eskom tariffs and purchases and sales of electricity A read more »
60,6 million people in South Africa
The population of South Africa is estimated to be 60,6 million by the end of June 2022. Between 2002 and 2022 South Africa experienced a positive population growth year-on-year. A positive growth rate indicates that the population is increasing, despite the devastating impact of COVID-19 globally and within South Africa’s borders. By 2022, measures of read more »
Stats Biz – June 2022
Annual consumer price inflation jumped to 6,5% in May from 5,9% in April and March, breaking through the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. This is the highest reading since January 2017 when the rate was 6,6%. Transport and food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) accounted for just over half of read more »
The impact of COVID-19 on national government finances in the 2020/2021 financial year
Total revenue collection of national government decreased by R95 billion from R1 385 billion in 2019/2020 to R1 290 billion in 2020/2021. The revenue streams in national government are taxes collected, grants and ‘other’ receipts (this comprises sales of goods and services and interest). Taxes collected contributed about 97% of total revenue. The decrease of read more »
General Household Survey, 2021
Media Release                                                                                                          23 June 2022 General Household Survey, 2021 Statistics South Africa released its social and household service delivery statistics, with data showing that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is still lingering for early childhood development and school attendance. The General Household Survey (GHS) tracks the progress of development in South Africa and read more »
Consumer inflation jumps to a 5-year high
Annual consumer price inflation quickened to 6,5% in May from 5,9% in April and March, breaking through the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. This is the highest reading since January 2017 when the rate was 6,6%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,7%. The read more »
After two years, GDP returns to pre-pandemic levels
South African gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1,9% in the first quarter of 2022, representing a second consecutive quarter of upward growth.1 The size of the economy is now at pre-pandemic levels, with real GDP slightly higher than what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This release covers the first quarter of the year read more »