Provincial government finances: the impact of COVID-19
South Africa’s 122 provincial government departments spent R613,6 billion in 2020/21, according to the latest Financial statistics of provincial government statistical release. This is R16,9 billion more than the R596,8 billion recorded in 2019/20, representing a rise of 2,8%.1 The 2,8% rise is muted compared with the previous three years that recorded increases of around 7,0%. A closer read more »
Softer fuel prices take the edge off inflation in August
Annual consumer inflation dipped to 7,6% in August from 7,8% in July. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%, the lowest reading since January 2022 when it was also 0,2%. Fuel prices decreased by 3,8% between July and August, with petrol falling by 5,0% and diesel by 0,9%. This pushed the read more »
MEDIA RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE 18 September 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stats SA prepares to collect comprehensive information on household income and expenditure by visiting over 31 000 dwelling units across the country during the Income & Expenditure Survey (IES 2022/23). The IES 2022/23 is a household-based sample survey specifically designed to collect detailed household income and expenditure read more »
South African GDP declines by 0,7%
After two consecutive quarters of positive growth, real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 0,7%1 in the second quarter of 2022 (Q2: 2022). The devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal and load shedding contributed to the decline, weakening an already fragile national economy that had just recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Manufacturing the biggest drag on GDP The flooding read more »
Stats Biz – August 2022
Cautious relief was the response to Stats SA’s announcement in June that gross domestic product (GDP) had returned to pre-pandemic levels. The economy took seven quarters to get back on its feet while struggling under the strain of the pandemic. How does this compare with other countries? Data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provides read more »
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 »
Experience of crime in SA increased over the 2021/22 period
Over the past few years, South Africa has seen rising levels of crime. The issue of crime is one that is experienced by almost all citizens, irrespective of their economic status or where they live. New data released by Statistics South Africa shows that household crimes experienced in the twelve months preceding the interview increased 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 »
Mbalo Brief – August 2022
The Mid-year population estimates (MYPE) offer key indices and estimates regarding births, deaths and migratory movements in the country, as well as key estimates by age, sex and geographical data that assist in planning for and addressing the needs of the population. The upcoming Census 2022 results (to be published in 2023) will be a key source read more »
Post-enumeration Survey (PES) 2022
Statistics South Africa conducted an independent survey to measure the accuracy and reach of the Census 2022 population count from 8 June to 26 July 2022. Mop-up activities are set to run from 27 July to 28 August 2022. The Post-enumeration Survey (PES) identifies how many households and persons were erroneously included, missed or counted read more »