Expenditure patterns across South Africa’s provinces are similar but not identical. The provincial government’s biggest task is managing the country’s public education and healthcare systems. Together, these two functions accounted for 75,8% of total provincial government expenditure in 2024/2025. Explore the spending priorities of provincial governments, as well as other stories, in this edition of   read more »

The end of the quarter is typically a busy time for Stats SA, with several quarterly outputs published alongside the regular monthly indicators. The national statistical agency released 28 publications, with many providing economic data for July. The latest economic indicators Figure 1 provides a snapshot of the most recent data. Mining, electricity generation, buildings completed   read more »

01 October 2026 30 Years of Counting South Africa Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), invites members of the media to roundtable discussions with the Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke, and Heads of National Statistical Offices from SADC countries. This is part of the ongoing 30 years of Census   read more »

As Statistics South Africa marks 30 years of conducting democratic censuses, and as the nation celebrates Heritage Month, Census data offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how South Africans have changed, lived, and connected over the past three decades. A census does more than count people; it tells the story of a nation in   read more »

Expenditure patterns across South Africa’s provinces are similar but not identical. While provinces spend the bulk of their budgets on education and health, a closer look at their financial data reveals differences in spending priorities and patterns. Stats SA’s latest Financial statistics of provincial government statistical release provides a wealth of detail on the financial   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2026) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by14 000 (-0,1%) in the second quarter of 2026, falling from 10,439 million in March 2026 to 10,425 million by June 2026. Overall, 95 000 jobs were lost between June 2025 and   read more »

Every year, September turns the spotlight on one of the body’s most vital organs: the heart. In South Africa, Heart Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the importance of protecting heart health through healthy lifestyle choices. The month culminates in World Heart Day on 29 September; a global   read more »

2022 While South Africa observes Heritage Month, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) celebrates three decades of conducting censuses. We examine trends in first marriages over four census periods, focusing on how their timing has shifted. Marriage is central to numerous heritage traditions, including ilobolo negotiations, customary celebrations, and religious or civil ceremonies. Data from the   read more »

Annual consumer inflation increased to 4,4% in August from 4,3% in July. Several aspects stand out in this month’s print. Food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) inflation quickened for the first time in nine months, both the alcoholic beverages & tobacco and health indices declined month-on-month, and fuel inflation continued to ease. The consumer price index   read more »

Geographers and historians have been arguing that the African continent is bigger than it is actually displayed on the world map, but its size was shrunk to a smaller size long time ago. The projection of the world map which is called Mercator map, was created by the 16th century geographer Gerardus Mercator to plot   read more »