According to Statistics South Africa’s Volunteer Activities Survey, 2024, an estimated 3,1 million South Africans aged 15 and older participated in volunteer work in 2024—up from 2,7 million in 2018 and 2,2 million in 2014, representing a volunteer rate of 6,9% of the adult population. Volunteer work refers to any unpaid, non‑compulsory activity that individuals   read more »

Headline consumer inflation cooled to 3,0% in February from 3,5% in January. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%. To understand why inflation decreased this month, it is useful to compare the monthly change in February this year (0,4%) with February 2025 (0,9%). February’s monthly print was lower than average, and this   read more »

Stats SA recently published an update on the influence of Black Friday on November retail trade sales.1 The event has become synonymous with e-commerce. According to data quoted by BusinessDay, there was a sharp rise in online Black Friday purchases in 2025.2,3 While Stats SA does not publish data specifically on the influence of e-commerce   read more »

South Africa’s ageing population is increasing steadily, bringing both opportunities and challenges for ensuring that people age well. According to the Marginalised Groups Series VIII – Healthy Ageing in South Africa, 2024, released by Statistics South Africa, the number of persons aged 60 years or older in South Africa increased from 3,6 million (7,7% of   read more »

Black Friday deals were aplenty in November. Recent retail trade sales data show how consumers allocated their spending between November and December, and how this split has shifted over time. The impact of Black Friday was previously covered using data for 2019, 20211 and 2024.2 Retail trade sales figures published last month provide an update   read more »

The South African economy recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by 0,4% in the fourth quarter (October–December) of 2025.1 Finance, trade and personal services drove much of the upward momentum on the production (supply) side of the economy. A rise in household spending, gross fixed capital formation and government consumption lifted the expenditure   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY 5 MARCH 2026 THE 5TH ISIBALO SYMPOSIUM – ADVANCING EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, in collaboration with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), will host the 5th Isibalo Symposium on 12 and 13 March 2026. The symposium serves as a platform to promote evidence-based decision-making through collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing among key   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                                                     05 March 2026 Statistics South Africa to release the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4 2025 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the results of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2025 at a media briefing on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in Tshwane. GDP, quarter four results will   read more »

The braai brought many friends and family together this past December. South Africa’s favourite pastime is a staple of any holiday season. An exploration of ten favourite braai-related items shows that the activity has become more expensive over time. Explore the cost of a braai, as well as other stories, in this edition of Stats   read more »

The latest round of monthly business cycle indicators concludes the results for 2025, providing a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 and for the calendar year. The year was generally positive, according to selected indicators shown in Figure 1 below. Many indicators were stronger, with decreases recorded for manufacturing, electricity generation,   read more »