Economic activity declines in the third quarter
Real South African gross domestic product (GDP) weakened by 0,3% in the third quarter (July–September) of 2024.1 The agriculture industry was the main drag on growth on the production (supply) side of the economy, with transport, trade and government services also contributing to the slowdown. On the expenditure (demand) side, there was a decline in read more »
Economic wrap-up for November 2024
Stats SA published 22 releases in November, many of which provide a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the third quarter (July–September). An overview of the quarter A number of sectors witnessed a rise in economic activity in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2024. Mining, manufacturing, electricity generation, construction read more »
South Africa Launches Cutting-Edge Labour Market Information System
In a major stride toward addressing employment challenges, South Africa has officially launched its Labour Market Information System (LMIS), a groundbreaking platform aimed at revolutionising how labour data is collected, analysed, and shared. The LMIS, unveiled in September 2024, is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the International Labour read more »
How did government spending shift in 2022/23?
The latest set of consolidated government financial data show a rise in spending between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 fiscal years. Several government functions benefited from the increase, while others recorded declines. The Financial statistics of consolidated general government statistical release provides a complete overview of revenue and spending across all 702 government institutions, including national, read more »
MEDIA INVITATION: THE 4TH ISIBALO SYMPOSIUM – ADVANCING EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 19 NOVEMBER 2024 MEDIA INVITATION: THE 4TH ISIBALO SYMPOSIUM – ADVANCING EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, in collaboration with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), invites members of the media to the 4th ISIbalo Symposium, taking place on 21st and 22nd November 2024. The symposium serves as a platform read more »
Consumer inflation cools further in October
The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2,8% in the 12 months to October 2024. This represents a sharp decline from 3,8% recorded in September. October’s print is the lowest since June 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) when the rate was 2,2%. Falling fuel prices remain the primary factor behind the slowdown. Petrol and diesel prices declined read more »
A decade of progress in service delivery in South Africa
Between 2011 and 2022, access to essential services has improved, with Census data revealing that access to clean water has increased from 85,1% to 88,5%, and improved sanitation from 68,9% to 80,7% — underscoring a decade of progress in service delivery. According to the report The State of Basic Service Delivery in South Africa: Analysis read more »
Mbalo Brief – November 2024
The recent food poisoning reports linked to products bought from spaza shops in South Africa, predominantly in Gauteng, highlights the importance of exercising caution when purchasing and consuming food items. The food poisoning led to the death of several children, left some customers ill and others fighting for their lives in hospitals. Although spaza shops read more »
Domestic Workers Face Slow Post-Pandemic Recovery
In South Africa, employment in private households represents a crucial segment of the labour market, making a significant contribution to total employment despite being relatively vulnerable and largely informal. According to data from the Q3: 2024 Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), approximately 1,1 million South Africans are employed in private households, with 75,7% (or 854 000) working read more »