The role of biodiversity-based tourism in South Africa
A first of its kind, the release of South Africa’s experimental estimates for biodiversity-based tourism paints a picture of this sector’s contribution to economic activity, employment and tourism spend. What is biodiversity-based tourism? If you visit a game park, hike at a nature reserve, snorkel along the coast, relax in a national botanical garden, or read more »
Statistics South Africa Responds to Concerns over Census Data Quality
MEDIA STATEMENT Thursday 11 July 2024 Statistics South Africa Responds to Concerns over Census Data Quality In response to concerns raised by the Centre for Actuarial Research (CARe) in their report “THE 2022 SOUTH AFRICA CENSUS” released on July 9, 2024, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) continues to clarify that the claims made about the read more »
Economic wrap-up for June 2024
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 breaks the R2 trillion mark
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 »
Mbalo Brief – June 2024
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 »
Trends in Youth Educational Attainment
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 »
Economic wrap-up for May 2024
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 »
Unemployment in South Africa: A Youth Perspective
South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of youth unemployment. This is supported by statistics indicating a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024. However, when looking at the Labour Market Dynamics in South Africa report read more »
Mbalo Brief, April 2024
This year marks 30 years since millions of South Africans cast their ballot in the democratic elections of 1994 for the first time in their lives. As the country reflects on 30 years of freedom and democracy, the celebrations will be focusing on the gains that have been made, achievements and milestones as well as read more »
Solar energy for the poor
Households and businesses are adopting alternative sources of energy as load shedding bites. What may not be well known is that many municipalities are in the game too, providing off-grid energy sources to the poorest households. The Free Basic Alternative Energy (FBAE) policy1 instructs municipalities to supply alternative sources of energy to poor households that read more »