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 »

Retail trade statistics have a strong seasonal pattern. For instance, actual retail sales are usually much higher in November and December because of the effect of Black Friday and the festive season. Seasonal adjustment removes these effects based on historical patterns, which helps with the analysis of underlying trends. Stats SA has published seasonally adjusted   read more »

Consumer inflation hit its highest level in 13 years during 2022. The average inflation rate for the year (6,9%) hides the differences in timing and extent of price increases for different product groups. Transport and food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) had the biggest impact on overall inflation. Breaking the year down, the headline rate was   read more »

According to the Recorded Live Births, 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa, almost 1 million births occurred in 2021 and the most popular baby names were Lethabo and Melokuhle for boys and girls respectively. Melokuhle, Lethabo and Lethokuhle were the most popular names amongst both baby girls and boys in South Africa in 2021.   read more »

Marked by COVID-19, the 2020–2021 period was incredibly challenging for the South African economy. Data from Stats SA’s latest Annual financial statistics (AFS) survey, which includes the first three months of the hard lockdown, shows a decline in formal business turnover and expenditure. The AFS reference period typically entails a lag effect: the survey reference   read more »

South African government spending broke the R2 trillion mark in the 2020/21 financial year. Large increases in expenditure were recorded for social protection, health, and general public services as the country battled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, total revenue declined on the back of lower taxes received. The Financial statistics of consolidated general government   read more »

With Black Friday upon us, South African consumers have begun scouting for the latest deals. Monthly retail trade sales data show how Black Friday has shifted shopping behaviour over time. Consumers splurge during the festive season The graphic below shows the distribution of retail trade sales by month, for the year 2019. If all months   read more »

Consumer price inflation picked up slightly in October, rising to 7,6% from 7,5% in September. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%, up from 0,1%. Bread & cereals, meat and dairy drive food prices higher The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages edged higher to 12,0% from 11,9% in September.   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                          15 November 2022 Statistics South Africa (Stat SA) will commemorate the African Statistics Day(ASD)on Friday, 18 November 2022. African Statistics Day was adopted in May 1990 by the 16th Meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers for Planning and Economic Development. The day is celebrated annually and   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                           11 November 2022       The global population is set to reach 8 billion on 15 November 2022. The Statistician-General of South Africa, Mr Risenga Maluleke, and the Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Bannet Ndyanabangi, will jointly commemorate the World at 8 Billion at a media briefing to   read more »