Rising food prices: where are the most vulnerable?
A growing number of forecasts reveal that food prices might rise sharply in coming months. Survey data show which parts of the country are most vulnerable. Current data point to an agriculture industry that is struggling. During November 2015, in the midst of South Africa’s worst drought in 23 years, Stats SA released gross domestic read more »
South Africa’s economy narrowly avoids recession
South Africa’s economy grew by 0,7% in the third quarter of 2015, according to preliminary estimates of real gross domestic product (GDP) released by Stats SA. Unless otherwise stated, growth rates are quarter-on-quarter, seasonally adjusted and annualised. After experiencing a 1,3% contraction in the second quarter, the marginal GDP growth in the third quarter staved read more »
Better Data Better Lives – Stats SA keeps rolling
By Pali Lehohla “Better data, better lives”, is the commitment from official statistics organisations across the world as part of celebrating World Statistics Day, October 20 2015.  Guided by the Fundamental Priniciples of Official Statistics and the call from United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon that “statistics are critical for evidence-based decision making across all read more »
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Citizen Satisfaction Survey in KwaZulu-Natal
Media Release                                                                                                                                                                    07 October 2015 The voice of the ordinary citizens of KZN will be heard through a Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) conducted Citizen Satisfaction Survey (CSS) in KwaZulu-Natal, which will help the Office of the Premier to make informed decisions to improve the lives of the citizen of KZN. The survey is the product of read more »
In focus: the electricity, gas and water supply industry
Stats SA recently released results of its large sample survey covering the electricity, gas and water supply industry in South Africa, for the year 2013. The report provides information on the size, nature and structure of the industry. Also included in the report is information on employment, trading income, expenditure, profit or loss, inventories, sales read more »
In focus: the post and telecommunications industry
Stats SA recently released results of its large sample survey covering the post and telecommunications industry in South Africa, for the year 2013. The report provides detailed information on the size, nature and structure of the industry. Also included in the report is information on employment, trading income, expenditure, profit or loss, inventories, sales and read more »
Manufacturing growth: beware the base effect!
Manufacturing production increased by 5,6% year-on-year in July 2015, driven mostly by a 39,6% year-on-year production rise in the automotive industry and a 17,4% year-on-year rise in the metals and machinery industry. It would be tempting to rejoice in response to these pronounced increases, but the figures don’t tell the whole story. These increases do read more »
South Africa’s economy contracts in the second quarter of 2015
South Africa’s economy contracted by 1,3% (seasonally adjusted and annualised) in the second quarter of 2015, according to preliminary estimates of real gross domestic product (GDP) released by Stats SA. The quarter-on-quarter decrease in overall economic activity was characterised by five of the ten main industry groups shrinking in size, while the other five experienced read more »
Participation in the Annual Agricultural Survey 2014
The Annual Agricultural Survey collects and provides statistics on the farming sector across the country. Statistics collected form the basis for planning, monitoring, evaluation, research and decision-making in both private and public institutions for the agricultural sector as a whole. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) appeals to selected farmers to participate in the Annual Agricultural read more »
A rumour wobbles an industry
Misinformation and hearsay have the power to influence an economy. Thousands of civil servants resigned from their posts in 2014 and early 2015 in response to rumours about proposed pension reforms. The economic effect was large enough to be seen in recent gross domestic product (GDP) data released by Stats SA. The government services sector read more »