The General Household Survey (GHS) is one of Stats SA’s longest-running surveys, and has been conducted for more than twenty years. The GHS collects information on a number of themes, including basic service delivery, access to health care, education, and agriculture, amongst others. The dataset is a rich source of information, allowing for the development   read more »

Tourism has the potential to make a significant contribution to the South African economy and it is targeted by government as one of the industries for future economic growth in the country. Tourism therefore is regarded as a potential sector where large-scale employment opportunities can be created. The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 also emphasises   read more »

After contracting by a revised 1,1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, real gross domestic product (GDP) edged higher in the first quarter of 2023 (January‒March), expanding by an estimated 0,4%.1 The manufacturing and finance industries were the major drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side was lifted by   read more »

Stats SA published 21 statistical releases in the month of May, providing valuable insight into the current state of our economy. Here is a brief rundown of important indicators. Inflation edged lower in April Despite the ongoing stresses of rising prices and escalating costs of debt, there were some hopeful signs from the latest inflation   read more »

The groups that are most susceptible to economic hardship are experiencing large increases in the cost of living, according to the latest inflation data. Together with the headline consumer price index (CPI), Stats SA publishes inflation rates for each province, for ten different income groups and for pensioners. The basket for each of these indices   read more »

Annual consumer inflation slowed to 6,8% in April from 7,1% in March. This is the lowest reading since May 2022, when the rate was 6,5%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4% in April 2023. Food and non-alcoholic beverages Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 13,9% in April from 14,0%   read more »

After a drastic drop in tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2021, the volume of tourist arrivals in South Africa is showing improvement. The Tourism 2022 report released by Statistics South Africa shows that the volume of tourists dropped by 72,6% from 10 228 593 in 2019 to 2 802 320 in 2020 and declined by 19,5% between 2020 and   read more »

South Africa’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 32,9 %, and is among the highest in the world. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), this is an increase of 0,2 of a percentage point compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. While the unemployment rate may be high,   read more »

In 2022 the estimated population of South Africa included more than five million people aged 60 or older. This represents a 9,2 percent share of the overall South African population. According to a report by Statistics South Africa titled Marginalised Groups Series VI: The Social Profile of Older Persons, 2017–2021, more than half (60,9%) of   read more »

Stats SA’s population census was conducted in 2022. The attached ad is for the Census currently being conducted by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics. If you are in South Africa, please do not respond if you receive this ad, as it is being used by scammers.