Provincial government plays a vital role in the administration of the country’s health and education systems, responsible for providing basic education to learners and healthcare to those in need. These two mammoth tasks take up the bulk of provincial government spending. In the 2019/20 fiscal year, total provincial government expenditure was R628,8 billion. Education was the   read more »

Protected areas are national assets that serve as nodes in South Africa’s ecological infrastructure network, protecting ecosystems that deliver important services to people, such as the production of clean water, flood moderation, prevention of erosion, and the aesthetic value of the landscape. They provide a home for the country’s most iconic species as well as   read more »

Jobs in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 86 000 in the second quarter of 2021, bringing the total number of persons employed in the formal non-agricultural sector in South Africa to approximately 9,57 million. According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2021) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), formal sector jobs increased by   read more »

The annual change in the consumer price index (CPI) in August was 4,9%. This was slightly higher than July’s increase of 4,6% and identical to the reading in June. This is the fourth consecutive month where the annual increase is higher than the midpoint (4,5%) of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range.   read more »

In the third of four detailed industry reports released this month, Stats SA takes a deep dive into the mining industry. The report, which covers the results of a census conducted in 2019, provides detailed statistics on mineral production, finances, employment, and exports and imports. The mining census was conducted previously in 2012 and 2015.   read more »

Four facts about the post and telecommunications industry (2019) In the second of four detailed industry reports released this month, Stats SA takes a look at the post and telecommunications industry. The report, which covers the results of a large sample survey that was conducted in 2019, provides details on the financial and employment makeup   read more »

The South African economy recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by 1,2% in the second quarter of 2021 (April–June). 1  This followed a revised 1,0% rise in real gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter (January–March). Despite the gains made over the last four quarters, the economy is 1,4% smaller than what   read more »

We are all keenly aware of the electricity challenges our country is facing. Here are five key facts from Stats SA’s latest report on the industry, covering data on the nation’s energy mix, electricity production, and employment. The Electricity, gas and water supply industry report for 2019 covers the results of a large sample survey   read more »

There are a small number of healthcare institutions that fall in the extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs) arm of government. You may have heard of the South African Medical Research Council and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority in media coverage of COVID-19. A recent report by Stats SA provides pre-COVID-19 financial data for   read more »

Stats SA has finalised a comprehensive overhaul of its national accounts. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) rebasing and benchmarking exercise has resulted in an upward revision in the size of the economy, as well as changes to the composition of the supply and demand sides of economic activity. Remaining relevant is key Any statistical   read more »