June was a bumper month for statistical reports. Stats SA published 40 releases in the month, providing monthly, quarterly and annual economic updates. Here are a few highlights. The South African economy weakens in the first quarter The month began with the release of the latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures. The economy contracted by   read more »

National government spending topped R2,04 trillion in the 2022/23 financial year, representing a rise of 6,1% from R1,92 trillion in 2021/22. Just over half of total expenses was allocated to grants paid to other levels of government, institutions and foreign governments. Not to be confused with social grants, this line item represents financial transfers that   read more »

The South African national government spent R2,04 trillion1 in the 2022/23 financial year, representing a rise of 6,1% from R1,92 trillion in 2021/22. Stats SA’s latest set of national government financial data shows how these funds were distributed. Just over half of total expenses in 2022/23 was allocated to grants paid to other levels of government, institutions   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2024) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 67 000 in the first quarter of 2024, bringing the level of employment to 10,7 million. The survey showed that 74 000 jobs were lost between March 2023 and March 2024.   read more »

For many years, South Africa (SA) has been operating two healthcare parallel systems . These being the private healthcare system and public healthcare system which have been operating in tandem to one another. This is now in the past after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law on 15 May   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation was 5,2% in May, unchanged from April. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%. Annual rates for four of the twelve product groups remained steady between April and May, including food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB). Higher rates were recorded for transport, alcoholic beverages & tobacco and recreation   read more »

June 16 is Youth Day in South Africa, commemorating the sacrifice paid by the youth who participated in the Soweto uprising in 1976. The day is also recognised as the Day of the African Child on the African continent and celebrated every year. The theme for the year is “To educate an African Child Fit   read more »

Real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a marginal 0,1% in the first three months of 2024. This followed a revised 0,3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023. Weaker manufacturing, mining and construction drove much of the downward momentum on the production side of the economy, while the expenditure side witnessed a decline across   read more »

Real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a marginal 0,1% in the first quarter (January–March) of 2024.1 This followed a revised 0,3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023. Weaker manufacturing, mining and construction drove much of the downward momentum on the production (supply) side of the economy, while the expenditure (demand) side witnessed a   read more »

Stats SA published 24 releases in May, with many providing a preliminary overview of economic performance in the first quarter (January–March). Key industries down in the first three months of the year Mining, manufacturing, electricity, construction, retail trade, motor trade and road transport were weaker in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the fourth   read more »