![Pondering #NationalWineDay](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/win3-64x64.jpg)
Pondering #NationalWineDay
25 May is National Wine Day! Here are a few fun facts to muse over if you’re planning to enjoy a glass or three. SA households spend more on wine than on coffee South Africans have clear priorities when it comes to drink. Wine takes up 7,2% of total household expenditure on alcoholic and read more »
![Inflation edges slightly lower in April](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/data2-64x64.jpg)
Inflation edges slightly lower in April
Annual consumer inflation softened to 4,4% in April 2019 after hitting a three-month high of 4,5% in March 2019. While food inflation remains quite stable, rising petrol prices continue to place pressure on consumers. Inflation has remained within the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) target range of 3–6% for two years (since March 2017). The read more »
![Four facts about indigent households](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Indigent-household-infographic-64x64.jpg)
Four facts about indigent households
If South Africa were a suburb of 100 households, 22 would be beneficiaries of government’s indigent programme. Stats SA’s recent Non-financial census of municipalities provides insight into those households that struggle to afford access to basic services. Fact 1: 22% of households are classified as indigent In 2001 South Africa adopted a policy intended read more »
Stats Biz – July 2018
Stats Biz – July 2018 Annual food inflation continues to slow despite April’s rise in value added tax (VAT). In fact, some food items are actually cheaper than they were a year ago. The items you are now paying less for are in the oil, bread, fruit and sugar categories. Explore the price of food, read more »
![Despite the VAT increase, food inflation continues to fall](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img3-64x64.png)
Despite the VAT increase, food inflation continues to fall
Annual food inflation continues to slow despite April’s rise in value added tax (VAT). In fact, some food items are actually cheaper than they were a year ago. The items you are now paying less for are in the oil, bread, fruit and sugar categories, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) release.1 Bread read more »
![Electricity: Coal use inches lower as solar, wind and diesel rise](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Slider_Elec_gas_fig1-64x64.png)
Electricity: Coal use inches lower as solar, wind and diesel rise
If you’re curious, take a deeper look at Stats SA’s latest large sample survey of the electricity, gas and water supply industry. The report provides some insight into the current state of electricity generation in South Africa. In particular, highlighting the subtle changes that have occurred in the country’s energy supply. South Africa is still read more »
![Higher inflation dampens spirits as taxes take a toll](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/data1-64x64.png)
Higher inflation dampens spirits as taxes take a toll
South Africa’s consumer inflation rate jumped to 4,5% in April after reaching a seven-year low of 3,8% in March. Much of the increase was a result of price rises in product groups that attract specific taxes, namely alcohol, fuel and sugary drinks. A one percentage point increase in value added tax (VAT) also came into read more »
![Formal business sector debt in 2016](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/t4-64x64.png)
Formal business sector debt in 2016
South African businesses are borrowing more money. The amount of debt held by the formal business sector1 was up 5,9% in 2016 compared with 2015. Total debt amounted to R5,7 trillion in 2016. The rise in debt was observed in eight of the nine industries, according to Stats SA’s latest Annual financial statistics (AFS) release2. read more »
Stats Biz – October 2017
It’s hard to believe. It goes against what we often hear. Whether chatting with friends around the braai or debating with family at the dinner table, almost everyone has a story to tell about their own experiences with rising prices. Surprisingly, data show that there are in fact items that are cheaper now than they read more »
![Digging deeper into your pocket? These prices might be to blame](https://www.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/img-64x64.jpg)
Digging deeper into your pocket? These prices might be to blame
Does that braai pack feel a bit expensive? If you’ve recently noticed a rise in meat prices, then you’re not alone. Let’s take a closer look at that, as well as other items in the consumer price index with inflation higher than South Africa’s inflation target of 3–6% that is used for monetary policy. In read more »