Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS)
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) is a household-based sample survey conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Â It collects information on the labour market activity of individuals aged 15 years and older, and provides the official measures of employment and unemployment. By taking part in this survey, you will help us to produce statistics read more »
Economic wrap-up for May 2023
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 »
Focus on food inadequacy and hunger in South Africa in 2021
In 2021, about 2,1 million (11,6%) of South African households reported experiencing hunger. South Africa faces challenges ranging from high unemployment and poverty to the ongoing energy crisis and rising costs of living. These impact negatively on South Africa’s state of food security by making food expensive and inaccessible to many and increasing the read more »
Government spending breaches R2 trillion
South African government spending broke the R2Â trillion mark in the 2020/21 financial year. Large increases in expenditure were recorded for social protection, health, and general public services as the country battled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, total revenue declined on the back of lower taxes received. The Financial statistics of consolidated general government read more »
Economic, social and political empowerment are critical for achieving gender equality in SA
More than half (51,1%) of the South African population are female[1] and, according to the General Household Survey (GHS) 2021, more than two-fifths (42,0%) of households are headed by females. While women empowerment is central to the global development agenda and is a stepping stone to gender equality, a new report released by Statistics South 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 »
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 »
Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) – Q2:2022
MEDIA RELEASE   Embargo: Tuesday 23 August 2022, 11h30 AM Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) – Q2:2022 The official unemployment rate was 33,9% in the second quarter of 2022. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has, today (23 August 2022), issued the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q2: 2022. These results indicate that read more »
Nearly half of SA women are out of the labour force in Q2:2022
Globally, women who are looking for work and are available to work have a tougher time finding work than men. This phenomenon is more pronounced in South Africa, with higher unemployment rates for the general population as compared to the rest of the world. In 2022, 47,0% of South African women were recorded as economically read more »
Don’t throw in the towel!
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 »