Even though 2020 seems like a lifetime ago, the true extent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact is still being pieced together. The recent Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) for South Africa report1 sheds light on how the pandemic affected the tourism sector over the period January 2020 to December 2020, most notably in terms of production,   read more »

After rallying in the third quarter of 2022, South African gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 1,3% in the fourth quarter (October‒December).1 Growth was dragged lower mainly by finance, trade, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and general government services. Finance and trade the biggest drags on growth Seven of the ten industries contracted in the fourth quarter.   read more »

Marked by COVID-19, the 2020–2021 period was incredibly challenging for the South African economy. Data from Stats SA’s latest Annual financial statistics (AFS) survey, which includes the first three months of the hard lockdown, shows a decline in formal business turnover and expenditure. The AFS reference period typically entails a lag effect: the survey reference   read more »

After contracting by 0,7% in the second quarter of 2022, the economy rallied in the third quarter, expanding by 1,6%.1 The agriculture, finance, transport and manufacturing industries were the main drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side of the economy was lifted by a rise in exports and government   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                          15 November 2022 Statistics South Africa (Stat SA) will commemorate the African Statistics Day(ASD)on Friday, 18 November 2022. African Statistics Day was adopted in May 1990 by the 16th Meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers for Planning and Economic Development. The day is celebrated annually and   read more »

We seldom think about the smaller industries that drive economic growth. Outside the heavyweights of finance, personal services and manufacturing, the agriculture industry might seem like a small player, contributing 5% to national economic activity. But don’t let this fool you. Not only does the industry play a vital role in food security, but it   read more »

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 »

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 »

Your chances of finding a job are much higher if you continue your search for employment. Estimates from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released by Statistics South Africa, show that the likelihood of finding employment is much higher if you continue to search for work or are available to take up a job or start   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                   20 June 2022 Statistics South Africa to release the results of the General Household Survey, 2021                                                                       Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the results of the 2021 General Household Survey (GHS) on Thursday, 23 June 2022 in Pretoria. The survey provides a snapshot of progress achieved in basic government services and also   read more »