After contracting by a revised 1,1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, real gross domestic product (GDP) edged higher in the first quarter of 2023 (January‒March), expanding by an estimated 0,4%.1 The manufacturing and finance industries were the major drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side was lifted by   read more »

Stats SA published 21 statistical releases in the month of May, providing valuable insight into the current state of our economy. Here is a brief rundown of important indicators. Inflation edged lower in April Despite the ongoing stresses of rising prices and escalating costs of debt, there were some hopeful signs from the latest inflation   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                   01 June 2023   Statistics South Africa to release the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q:1 of 2023 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the results of the Gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2023, at a media briefing to be held on Tuesday, 6 June 2023 in Pretoria. Media   read more »

The groups that are most susceptible to economic hardship are experiencing large increases in the cost of living, according to the latest inflation data. Together with the headline consumer price index (CPI), Stats SA publishes inflation rates for each province, for ten different income groups and for pensioners. The basket for each of these indices   read more »

Annual consumer inflation slowed to 6,8% in April from 7,1% in March. This is the lowest reading since May 2022, when the rate was 6,5%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4% in April 2023. Food and non-alcoholic beverages Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 13,9% in April from 14,0%   read more »

After a drastic drop in tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2021, the volume of tourist arrivals in South Africa is showing improvement. The Tourism 2022 report released by Statistics South Africa shows that the volume of tourists dropped by 72,6% from 10 228 593 in 2019 to 2 802 320 in 2020 and declined by 19,5% between 2020 and   read more »

South Africa’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 32,9 %, and is among the highest in the world. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), this is an increase of 0,2 of a percentage point compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. While the unemployment rate may be high,   read more »

A country’s currency is a fundamental component of its national identity. The South African Reserve Bank unveiled upgraded banknotes and coins which help us celebrate our Constitution’s diverse languages and national heritage which make us proudly and uniquely South African. The new banknotes will preserve the theme which honour former president Nelson Mandela by depicting   read more »

Minister in the Presidency, the honourable Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, delivered the Stats SA Budget Vote Debate Speech in Parliament on 9 May 2023. Key topics covered included Census 2022 dissemination; the economics and social and population statistics programmes; and the draft Statistics Act Amendment Bill. Stats SA’s allocation for the 2023/24 financial year is R2.7 billion.   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                   09 May 2023 Statistics South Africa to release the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), Quarter 1 of 2023 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the first quarter of 2023 at a media briefing on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 in Pretoria. The household-based sample survey   read more »