Quarterly employment declines were mainly driven by trade and finance & business service which lost 32 000 jobs (-1,5%) and 23 000 jobs respectively. Additional jobs losses were also observed in community and social services with 8 000 jobs (-0,3%), manufacturing industry with 4 000 jobs (-0,3%) and transport industry with 1000 jobs (-0,2%).

However there were increases in employment observed in the construction industry with 12 000 jobs (2,0%) and mining industry with 8 000 jobs (1,8%).

Gross earnings and average monthly earnings

Total earnings paid to employees declined by R19 billion (-3.2%) to R588 billion in March 2017. However, this is R33 billion higher compared to the same period of last year (March 2016).

The decrease in gross earnings was led by manufacturing industry with R7,1 billion (-10,4%) quarter-to-quarter, followed by trade industry with R6 billion (-6,5%), community services industry with R4,5 billion (-2,4%), construction industry with R4,4 billion (-13,9%); transport industry with R3,1 billion (-8,7%) and electricity industry with R1,2 billion (-14,4%).

However there was a quarter-to-quarter increase in gross earnings from the finance & business services industry with R6,8 billion (4,5%) and mining industry with R5 million (0,02%).

There was a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0,8% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector from R18 536 in November 2016 to R18 687 in February 2017. On an annual basis, average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 8,3% from R17 262 in February 2016 to R18 687 in February 2017.

Issued by Statistics South Africa

For media enquiries contact:

Lesedi Dibakwane

(012) 310 8578

082 805 7088

Lesedid@statssa.gov.za

For technical enquires contact:

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng

Deputy Director-General: Population and Social Statistics

Tel: 012 310 2109

Email: KefiloeM@statssa.gov.za

Mr Peter Buwembo

Chief Director: Labour Statistics

Tel:  012 310 8655

Email: Peterb@statssa.gov.za

Press statement                         Embargo: Tuesday 6 June 2017, 11:30

GDP in the first quarter of 2017 contracted by 0,7%

Gross domestic product (measured by production)

South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was -0,7% in the first quarter of 2017.1

The largest negative contributor to growth in GDP in the first quarter was the trade, catering and accommodation industry, which decreased by 5,9% and contributed -0,8 of a percentage point to GDP growth.

The manufacturing industry contracted by 3,7% and contributed -0,5 of a percentage point to GDP growth. Seven out of ten divisions reported negative growth rates in the first quarter. The largest contributor to the decrease was the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division.

In contrast the mining and quarrying industry increased by 12,8%, and contributed 0,9 of a percentage point to GDP growth.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry rebounded in the first quarter of 2017 on the back of eight consecutive quarters of contraction. The industry’s increase of 22,2% in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly as a result of increases in the production of field crops and horticultural products.

Expenditure on GDP2

Expenditure on real gross domestic product fell by 0,8% in the first quarter of 2017.

Household final consumption expenditure decreased by 2,3% in the first quarter, contributing -1,4 percentage points to total growth. The main negative contributors to growth in HFCE were food and non-alcoholic beverages (-3,4% and contributing -0,7 of a percentage point), clothing and footwear (-12,1% and contributing

-0,7 of a percentage point), and transport (-4,4% and contributing -0,7 of a percentage point).

Gross fixed capital formation grew by 1,0%, a second consecutive quarterly increase. The largest contributor to growth in the first quarter of 2017 was machinery and other equipment, which increased by 7,9% and contributed 2,5 percentage points to growth in GFCF.

There was a R2,7 billion build-up of inventories in the first quarter of 2017, which contributed 2,5 percentage points to total growth.

______________________________

1  Unless otherwise specified, quarter-on-quarter growth rates are seasonally adjusted and annualised. All growth rates are calculated on the basis of series at constant prices. The GDP estimates are preliminary and may be revised.

2  The figures showing growth in expenditure on GDP exclude the residual, calculated as the difference between GDP measured by

production and the sum of the expenditure components. For more detail see Table 30 on the Stats SA website.

www.statssa.gov.za
info@statssa.gov.za
T +27 12 310 8911
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Private Bag X44, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
ISIbalo House, Koch Street, Salvokop, Pretoria, 0002

Net exports contributed negatively to growth in expenditure on GDP. Both goods and services contributed negatively to the growth in exports. Exports of mineral products and vehicles and transport equipment were largely responsible for the decrease in goods.

Imports of goods and services increased by 3,2%, driven largely by imports of mineral products.

Media enquiries:                                             Technical enquiries:

Trevor Oosterwyk                                                                                                                      Michael Manamela
Chief Director: Communications                                                                                                Chief Director: National Accounts
trevoro@statssa.gov.za                                                                                                             michaelm@statssa.gov.za
012 310 4687 / 082 908 9104                                                                                                   012 310 8520 / 082 888 2205

Statistician-General to release Gross domestic product (GDP), Q1 2017

The Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla, will release the Gross domestic product (GDP) estimates for the first quarter of 2017 at a media briefing to be held on Tuesday, 6 June 2017 in Pretoria.

The media briefing will be held as follows:

Date         :  Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Lock-up   :  11H00

Embargo:    11H30

Venue      :  Tshedimosetso House, Cnr Francis Baard & Festival streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

(NB! There will be a video link to Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town.)

 RSVP:

Felicia Sithole Tel: 012 339 2401Cell: 076 430 0693  Email: FeliciaS@statssa.gov.za

Madimetja Mashishi Tel: 012 337 6456 Cell: 073 821 5994 Email: MadimetjaMa@statssa.gov.za

For media enquiries contact:

Lesedi Dibakwane

Director: Media and Public Relations

Tel: 012 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                                           1 June 2017

                     Quarterly Labour Force Survey – QLFS Q1:2017

The growth in employment by 144 000, was offset by the growth in the number of job-seekers by 433 000 driving the unemployment rate to 27,7% in the first quarter of 2017. This is the highest unemployment rate observed since September 2003.

The growth in employment was observed in all industries except Agriculture, trade and services. The biggest growth was observed in Manufacturing (62 000), Finance & other business services (49 000) and Mining (26 000).  Mining grew for the first time in Q1:2017 after declining for four successive quarters. Furthermore, employment grew in all provinces quarter to quarter except in Eastern Cape and Limpopo.  All Metros registered growth in employment except Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung and City of Johannesburg which remained virtually unchanged.

There were approximately 500 000 extra people in employment in Q1:2017 compared to the same period last year. The year-on-year employment growth was driven by manufacturing (145 000), construction (143 000) and finance (152 000).

Of the 433 000 people who joined the ranks of the unemployed, approximately 58% were young people aged 15-34 increasing the youth unemployment rate by 1,6 percentage points to 38,6%. The proportion of those in short term unemployment (i.e those who have been looking for work for less than a year ) increased by 2,4 percentage points to 34,2% a further indication that these were young people who joined the labour force at the beginning of the year.

Unemployment rate remained high among those with education level of less than matric at 33,1% which is 5,4 percentage points higher than the national average. While the unemployment rate among graduates remained at 7,3%.

Unemployment rate increased or remained virtually unchanged in all provinces except Northern Cape. The biggest increase in unemployment rate was observed in Eastern Cape which increased by 3.8 percentage points to 32,2%.

The expanded unemployment which includes those who wanted to work but did not look for work increased by 391 000 people, resulting in an increase of 0,8 of a percentage point in the expanded unemployment rate to 36,4%. This is approximately 9,3 million persons who did not have work but wanted to work in Q1:2017.

Issued by Statistics South Africa

For technical enquiries, contact:

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng

Deputy Director-General: Population and Social Statistics

Tel: 012 310 2109

Email: KefiloeM@statssa.gov.za

Mr Peter Buwembo

Chief Director: Labour Statistics

Tel:  012 310 8655

Email: Peterb@statssa.gov.za

For media enquires contact:

Ms Lesedi Dibakwane

Director: Public and Media Relations

Tel: 012 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                                                        31 May 2017

Exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery: An in-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey data, 2015/2016, Crime Statistics Series Volume 4

According to the report “Exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery” released by Statistics South Africa today, it is estimated that 670 000 households in South Africa experienced housebreaking/burglary  while about 160 000 households experienced home robberies in 2015/16.  Housebreaking/burglary accounted for over 50% of all crimes experienced by households, followed by home robbery which was experienced by 12% of households in South Africa. Although the prevalence of housebreaking/burglary and home robbery declined during the last five years, the proportion of households that think that crime is increasing has been growing. Moreover, an increasing proportion of households do not feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day and at night. These perceptions may have emanated from the fact that home robbery reporting has been increasing.

While reporting of home robbery has been increasing, this was not the case with reporting of housebreaking. In 2015/16 just over half of housebreaking/burglary (53%) incidents and 66% of home robbery incidents were reported to the police. The results also show that the odds of a white-headed household reporting housebreaking to the police were significantly higher than those of a black/African-headed household doing the same. In about 19% of the incidents of housebreakings/burglaries and home robberies reported to the police, an arrest was made. The conviction rate among suspects of housebreaking/burglary was 14,3% and 22% among those accused of home robbery. The study showed that in incidents where no arrests were made after reporting housebreaking/burglary, households were more likely to be dissatisfied with the police, compared to when arrests are made. This study also revealed that incidents of housebreaking/burglary and home robberies occurred mostly at night and items commonly stolen were electrical equipment.

A further analysis suggests that long distances to police stations and lengthy police response times to emergency calls are factors that increase the odds of housebreaking/burglary and home robbery incidents in South Africa. Existence of community crime prevention forums increased the odds of reporting housebreaking/burglary to the police. This emphasises the need to promote community crime prevention forums, building more police stations closer to the people and improving police response times in order to reduce housebreaking/burglary and home robbery and improve on crime reporting.

About the report

The report entitled “Exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery” is part of a series of reports produced by Statistics South Africa. It is an in-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey (VOCS) data collected in 2015/16 in conjunction with data from the South African Police Services (SAPS) focusing on housebreaking and home robbery.

The full report is available on the Statistics South Africa website: www.statssa.gov.za

Issued by Statistics South Africa

For technical enquiries:

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng

Deputy Director-General: Population & Social Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 4663

Email: KefiloeM@statssa.gov.za

Dr Isabelle Schmidt

Chief Director: Social Statistics

Tel: (012) 337 6379
Cell: 082 884 4281

Email: IsabelSc@statssa.gov.za

For media enquiries contact:

Lesedi Dibakwane

Director: Public and Media Relations

Tel: 012 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za

]]> http://www.statssa.gov.za/?feed=rss2&p=9928 0 http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=9932 http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=9932#comments Wed, 31 May 2017 14:14:48 +0000 Thobani Zulu http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=9932 read more »

 General Household Survey, 2016

 According to the results of the General Household Survey, 2016 released by Statistics South Africa today, the percentage of South African households with inadequate or severely inadequate access to food decreased from 23,9% in 2010 to 22,3% in 2016. The percentage of households that experienced hunger decreased from 23,8% to 11,8% while the percentage of individuals who experienced hunger decreased from 29,3% to 13,4% over the same period.

The survey shows that 13,5% of South African households were living in ‘RDP’ or state-subsidised dwellings, this increased from 5% in 2002. A slightly higher percentage of female-headed households (16,9%) than male-headed household (11,0%) are living in these dwellings. This is in line with government policies that give preference to households headed by individuals from vulnerable groups, including females, and individuals with disabilities.

The percentage of individuals that benefited from social grants consistently increased from 12,7% in 2003 to 29,7% in 2016. Simultaneously, the percentage of households that received at least one grant increased from 29,9% in 2003 to 44,8% in 2016. More than one-third of individuals in Eastern Cape (40,8%), Limpopo (37,6%), Northern Cape (37,1%) and KwaZulu-Natal (36,0%) were grant beneficiaries, compared to 16,9% in Gauteng and 22,0% in Western Cape. More than one-third of black African individuals (32,9%) received a social grant, compared to 27,2% of coloured individuals, 11,5% of Indian/Asian individuals and 6,2% of the white population.

Nationally, the percentage of households connected to the electricity supply from the mains has increased from 77,1% in 2002 to 84,2% in 2016. Percentage of households that used electricity for cooking increased from 58,0% in 2002 to 76,8% in 2016.

The GHS further reveals that, nationally, 63,0% of households rated the quality of water-related services they received as ‘good’. Satisfaction has, however, been eroding steadily since 2005 when 76,4% of users rated the services as good. Although 88,8% of South African households had access to piped water in 2016, only 75,1% of households in Limpopo, and 75,7% of households in Eastern Cape enjoyed such access. A further 26.8% accessed water on site while 13,3% relied on communal taps and 2,4% relied on neighbours’ taps.

Nationally, the percentage of households with access to improved sanitation increased from 62,3% in 2002 to 80,9% in 2016. The majority of households in Western Cape (94,3%) and Gauteng (90,7%) had access to adequate sanitation, while about half those in Limpopo (57,1%) and 67,4% in Mpumalanga had adequate access.

The GHS also reveals that about seven in every ten (71,4%) households reported that they went to public clinics and hospitals as their first point of access when household members fell ill or got injured. By comparison, a quarter 27,0% of households indicated that they would go to private doctors, private clinics or hospitals. The study found that 81,7% of households that attended public health-care facilities were either very satisfied or satisfied with the service they received compared to 97,5% of households that attended private health-care facilities.

The report shows an improvement of individuals with tertiary qualifications from 9,3% to 14,0%.  According to the report, approximately 766 812 students were enrolled at higher educational institutions during 2016. More than two-thirds (66,4%) of these students were black African. However, proportionally this group is still under-represented. Only 3,3% of black Africans aged 18 to 29 years were studying as opposed to 18,8% of Indian/Asian individuals and 17,5% of the white population in this age group. Only 3,5% of the coloured population was studying during 2016.

Results show that 4,7% of South Africans aged 5 years and older were classified as disabled in 2016. Women (5,2%) were slightly more likely to be disabled than men (4,1%). Northern Cape (7,1%), North West (6,8%), and Free State (6,1%) presented the highest prevalence of disability in the country.

About seven in every ten (71,4%) households reported that they went to public clinics and hospitals as their first point of access when household members fell ill or got injured. By comparison, a quarter 27,0% of households indicated that they would go to private doctors, private clinics or hospitals.

The study found that 81,7% of households that attended public health-care facilities were either very satisfied or satisfied with the service they received compared to 97,5% of households that attended private health-care facilities. A slightly larger percentage of households that attended public facilities (5,4% as opposed to private facilities 0,7%) were very dissatisfied with the service they received. Nearly a quarter (23,2%) of South African households had at least one member who belonged to a medical aid scheme. However, a relatively small percentage of individuals in South Africa (17,4%) belonged to a medical aid scheme in 2016.

The full statistical release is available on the Statistics South Africa website: www.statssa.gov.za

Issued by Statistics South Africa

Technical enquiries:

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng

Deputy Director-General: Population & Social Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 4663

Email: KefiloeM@statssa.gov.za

Dr Isabelle Schmidt

Chief Director: Social Statistics

Tel: 012 337 6379

Mobile: 082 884 4281

Email: IsabelSc@statssa.gov.za

Media enquiries:

Ms Lesedi Dibakwane

Director: Media Relations

Tel: (012) 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za

Local government is responsible for ensuring that homes, businesses and industries across South Africa have access to vital services, such as electricity, water and refuse removal. Does your municipality have the staff to ensure that you receive these services? The maps below provide a snapshot².

 Total vacancy rate

Up from 13,3% in 2015 to 14,4% in 2016

There were 314 117 funded posts across local government in 2016. Of these, 45 096 were unoccupied, translating to a national vacancy rate of 14,4%³.

In the map below, municipalities with the highest vacancy rates (49% plus) are indicated in yellow. Emfuleni municipality in Gauteng (the Vereeniging area) had the highest rate: 59% of its 5 438 funded posts were unfilled.

As a group, Free State municipalities had the highest percentage of posts that were unoccupied in 2016.

Broken down by department, the highest vacancy rates were recorded by environmental protection departments, road transport and waste water management departments⁴.

When Stats SA asked municipalities what could be the reason for staff vacancies, the following were some of the responses: (a) there was sometimes uncertainty regarding details of the personnel structure within the municipality; (b) in at least one municipality a moratorium was placed on filling of posts; and (c) many municipalities were still using outdated organograms that were due to be updated after the August 2016 local government elections.

Finance and administration

Up from 11,3% in 2015 to 12,9% in 2016

Many municipalities rely too heavily on consultants to prepare their financial statements, according to the Auditor-General (AG). The AG reported that local government forked out R892 million in consultancy costs for financial reporting services in 2014/15, which was a rapid increase from the R267 million recorded in 2010/11⁵.

Ensuring that finance departments are well-staffed is one step towards weaning local government off consultancy services. However, the vacancy rate within municipal finance departments climbed from 11,3% in 2015 to 12,9% in 2016.

 Water and waste water management

Up from 13,3% in 2015 to 15,2% in 2016

Residents in Vryheid resorted to fist fights over water earlier this year⁶. The drought-stricken KwaZulu-Natal town was one of many that bore the brunt of one of South Africa’s worst droughts in recent history, with the municipality resorting to bringing in tankers of water for residents’ usage.

Chronic water shortages remain a concern in many parts of the country, despite relatively good rains over the last few months. Together with the drought, loss of water due to leaking pipes and the poor maintenance of water treatment plants remain constant bug-bears of South Africa’s water infrastructure network⁷.

The municipal departments responsible for waste water management and water reported a combined vacancy rate of 15,2% in 2016, with Rustenburg municipality way on top at 69%.

AbaQulusi municipality, in which Vryheid is located, had 187 water related posts on its books in 2016, 57 (or 30,5%) of which were vacant.

You might be wondering about those local municipalities in the map above that do not have water-related departments. The responsibility for providing water in these areas, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, is not carried out by local municipalities but by other organisations, such as water boards or district municipalities.

 Electricity

Down from 20,2% in 2015 to 13,7% in 2016

Rolling power blackouts plagued South Africa in 2008 when demand for electricity outstripped supply. The country has since clawed itself back into a position of stable electricity generation.

The good news is that municipalities have done their part too, increasing staff capacity in their electricity departments. However, despite the fall in the national vacancy rate, empty seats remain a problem for municipalities in North West and Free State in particular.

Road transport

Up from 17,7% in 2015 to 22,3% in 2016

Rabelani Dagada, Johannesburg’s Finance MMC, recently announced that R1,5 billion would be spent during the 2017/18 financial year on maintenance of road infrastructure. R105 million in particular would be spent on repairing broken traffic lights within the city⁸.

Does Johannesburg have the human resources to transform this money into tangible results? Of the 2 508 posts available for road transport in the city, only 131 were unfilled. With 5% of posts vacant in that department, the city is in a better position to ensure that its roads are well maintained.

Other municipalities are not so lucky. Of the 24 655 road transport posts funded nationally in 2016, 5 487 (22,3%) were vacant. Almost half of available posts in road infrastructure departments were unfilled in Free State, with high vacancy rates recorded for Mangaung (74%) and Masilonyana (69%).

To wrap up: where should we focus our efforts then?

Staff vacancies within South Africa’s local municipalities increased between 2015 and 2016, with high vacancies recorded by Free State municipalities. Emfuleni (which includes Vereeniging), Msunduzi (which includes Pietermaritzburg) and Rustenburg were the municipalities with the highest vacancy rates overall. Municipal departments that were struggling the most to fill posts included environmental protection, road transport and water waste management departments.

¹ The national data used in this article were sourced from Table 2.1 and Table 2.2 in the Non-financial Census of Municipalities report, available for download here. Provincial and municipal data are available in Table 2.1 and Table 2.2 in an Excel file available on the same page.

² The maps display local and metropolitan municipalities while data for district municipalities are included in the provincial graphs. Note that the data were collected before the local government elections of August 2016 and thus represent the earlier local government structure consisting of 278 municipalities.

³ Vacancy rate, for the purposes of the NFCM, is the percentage of funded posts that are currently unfilled.

⁴ All departmental figures exclude managerial posts.

⁵ AG Report. Section 5.3. Download the document here. View the media release here.

⁶ http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2017/01/23/Battle-for-water-gets-ugly-in-Vryheid-as-locals-come-to-blows

⁷ http://www.infrastructurene.ws/2016/05/10/sas-waste-water-treatment-works-in-bad-shape/

⁸ http://ewn.co.za/2017/05/24/joburg-finance-mmc-prioritises-development-of-road-network

Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter (Q1) of 2017

The Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla, will release the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 at a media briefing to be held on Thursday, 01 June 2017.

The media briefing will be held as follows:

Date:  Thursday, 01 June 2017

Lock-up: 12H00

Embargoed until: 12H30

Venue:  Tshedimosetso House, Cnr Francis Baard & Festival streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

(NB! There will be a video link to Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town)

RSVP:

Felicia Sithole Tel: (012) 339 2401 Cell: 0764300693 E-mail Felicias@statssa.gov.za

Madimetja Mashishi Tel: 012 337 6456 Cell: 073 821 5994 E-mail: MadimetjaMa@statssa.gov.za

For media enquiries contact:

Ms Lesedi Dibakwane

Tel: (012) 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

lesedid@statssa.gov.za

Issued by Statistics South Africa

Statistician-General releases report on “Exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery”

The Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla, will release the Exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery report at a media briefing to be held on Wednesday, 31 May 2017. It is an in-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey data collected in 2015/16 and data from the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The media briefing will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 31 May 2017

Time: 12:00 – 13:00

Venue: Tshedimosetso House, Cnr Francis Baard & Festival streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

(NB! There will be a video link to Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town)

RSVP:

Felicia Sithole Tel: (012) 339 2401Cell: 076 430 0693Email: felicias@statssa.gov.za

Madimetja Mashishi, Tel: 012 337 6456, Cell: 073 821 5994 E-mail: MadimetjaMa@statssa.gov.za   

For media enquiries contact:
Lesedi Dibakwane

Tel: (012) 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: lesedid@statssa.gov.za