Consumer inflation edged up slightly from 4,0% in January 2019 to 4,1% in February 2019, remaining firmly within the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) inflation target range of 3%–6%. Notable drivers behind the rise were medical insurance and transport costs. Stats SA surveys health insurance fees in February of each year. On average, medical-aid schemes   read more »

MEDIA STATEMENT                                                                                                                           13 March 2019   Release of the Violence Against Women report cancelled Statistics South Africa has cancelled the release of the Violence Against Women report that was scheduled for 14th March 2019. During the final quality check,   read more »

Believe it or not, there was a time – not so long ago – when the South African government actually spent less than it earned. Stats SA takes a look at government spending over 13 years, focusing on how much we pay to service our debt. Harking back to better times in February’s National Budget   read more »

Fancy a meal out, or would you rather save up for accommodation when on holiday? We take a peek into the spending habits of domestic and international visitors who criss-cross the South African landscape. Visitors1 spent just over half a million rand every minute during the course of 2017! That amounts to R277 billion for the   read more »

The South African economy grew by 1,4%1 in the fourth quarter of 2018, contributing to an overall growth rate of 0,8% for the entire year. The latest set of gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by Stats SA provides an overview of economic performance in 2018. South Africa found itself in economic recession in 2018,   read more »

Mining lost some of its shine in 2018. Production fell by 1,6%, down from the 3,9% rise in 2017. Gold, copper and iron ore were the biggest drags on activity. South African diamond production climbed by 7,7% in 2018, however, the fourth consecutive year of positive growth for the precious stone. Explore mining production, and   read more »

The Investing in African Mining Indaba, the world’s largest mining conference, ended a week ago in Cape Town. Investment promises made at the conference might have a positive impact on the future of the industry. Stats SA takes a look at how mining fared in 2018. Mining had a lacklustre year. Production fell by 1,6%   read more »

The manufacturing industry rebounded in 2018, recording its highest annual growth rate in five years. The food and beverages and automotive divisions were the major drivers behind the rise. However, manufacturers in communication equipment, electrical machinery and clothing failed to perform. Manufacturing production increased by 1,2% in 2018 compared with 2017, according to Stats SA’s   read more »

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                                                              12 February 2019   Quarterly Labour Force Survey – QLFS Q4:2018   The results of the Quarterly   read more »

When Stats SA published data in 2018 showing that one in every 22 working South Africans are employed in the tourism sector, it also provided additional tables showing how the tourism workforce is structured. Tourism jobs are mostly concentrated in three industries. Explore the tourism workforce, and other stories, in this edition of Stats Biz.   read more »