The answer might surprise you. Stats SA’s recently released Financial census of municipalities report, for 2016, provides in-depth detail on the financial state of South Africa’s municipalities, including levels of debt. How solvent are South African municipalities? To answer that question, we turn to a financial ratio called the debt ratio. The debt ratio is   read more »

At the end of last year, mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Athol Trollip made a commitment that the city would eradicate bucket toilets in informal settlements by the end of 20171. It’s not surprising that the pledge was made: the municipality has the highest number of bucket toilets in the country, according to data released   read more »

Recent service delivery protests have shifted the spotlight onto local government’s ability to provide vital services. Are municipalities properly staffed to handle the complexities of service delivery? Stats SA’s latest Non-financial Census of Municipalities report provides a profile of the municipal workforce, shedding light on the number of vacancies in key departments1. Local government is   read more »

Media advisory                                                                                              24 February 2017 Statistician-General to release report on Mortality and causes of death in South Africa The Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla, will publish the Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 2015 statistical release at a media briefing to be held on Tuesday, 28 February 2017 at Stats   read more »

Municipalities in South Africa spent a total of R73,1 billion during the September quarter of 2016. Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Financial Statistics of Municipalities report1 provides an overview of how this money was spent. More than half of municipal expenditure during the September 2016 quarter was on two items: electricity (28,0%) and employee-related costs (27,8%).   read more »

Total expenditure by municipalities increased by 21,9% (or R15,7 billion) in the June 2016 quarter compared with the March 2016 quarter, rising from R71,7 billion to R87,5 billion. Purchases of electricity by municipalities was one of the biggest contributors to this increase, according to Stats SA’s latest Quarterly financial statistics of municipalities report1.   Acting   read more »

As the dust settles from the municipal elections, new faces are bound to fill leadership positions within many municipalities. With National Women’s Day around the corner, Stats SA takes a current look at gender representation in local government, focusing on mayoral, managerial and councillor positions.   Municipal mayors Representation: 38% and lower than before You   read more »

  Eastern Cape’s population increased from 6,6 million people in 2011 to 7 million in 2016, making it the third most populous province in the country, behind Gauteng (13,4 million) and KwaZulu-Natal (11,1 million).  The number of households in the province has also increased to 1,8 million in 2016, from 1,7 million in 2011. The   read more »

  Limpopo Community Survey 2016 results Limpopo’s population by 400 000, from 5,4 million people in 2011 to 5,8 million in 2016, making it the fifth largest province in the country in terms of population size. It trails behind Gauteng (13,4 million), KwaZulu-Natal (11,1 million), Eastern Cape (7 million), and Western Cape (6,3 million).  The   read more »

Media Release                                                                                                 30 June 2016 Community Survey 2016 results The population of South Africa has increased to 55,7 million in 2016 from 51,8 million in 2011, representing an increase of over 3 million. Of the 55,7 million people living in South Africa, a majority reside in Gauteng (13,4 million), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (11 million)   read more »