Water outages across the country have focussed attention on this vital resource. South Africa is a semi-arid country, with only a few natural source areas for water. These areas, referred to as Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), provide the bulk of the water that flows from our taps. Explore our SWSAs, as well as other   read more »

Consumer inflation hit its highest level in 13 years during 2022, with products recording their own peaks in different parts of the year. Wine, for example, registered its highest annual rate in May, cooling to its lowest reading in August. Fuel peaked in July with headline inflation, and oils & fats peaked one month later.   read more »

Retail trade statistics have a strong seasonal pattern. For instance, actual retail sales are usually much higher in November and December because of the effect of Black Friday and the festive season. Seasonal adjustment removes these effects based on historical patterns, which helps with the analysis of underlying trends. Stats SA has published seasonally adjusted   read more »

Consumer inflation hit its highest level in 13 years during 2022. The average inflation rate for the year (6,9%) hides the differences in timing and extent of price increases for different product groups. Transport and food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) had the biggest impact on overall inflation. Breaking the year down, the headline rate was   read more »

The year 2022 was tough, with soaring prices and rising interest rates leaving average consumers feeling the pinch. South Africa’s average inflation rate for 2022 was 6,9%, higher than the 4,5% recorded for 2021. The 2022 reading is the highest annual average rate since 2009 – the end of the global financial crisis. Explore inflation,   read more »

According to the Recorded Live Births, 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa, almost 1 million births occurred in 2021 and the most popular baby names were Lethabo and Melokuhle for boys and girls respectively. Melokuhle, Lethabo and Lethokuhle were the most popular names amongst both baby girls and boys in South Africa in 2021.   read more »

After contracting by 0,7% in the second quarter of 2022, the economy rallied in the third quarter, expanding by 1,6%. The size of the economy now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Real gross domestic product (GDP) was R1 161 billion in the third quarter, which is above the previous peak of R1 152 billion recorded in 2018. Explore economic growth, as   read more »

Register your consent/objection to receiving direct and updated communication on your preferred statistics and other pertinent Stats SA information. As our valued stakeholder, we would like to establish your consent/objection to Stats SA communicating directly and regularly with you via email to update you on your preferred statistics and other organisational information. Stats SA publishes   read more »

South African government spending broke the R2 trillion mark in the 2020/21 financial year. Large increases in expenditure were recorded for social protection, health, and general public services as the country battled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, total revenue declined on the back of lower taxes received. The Financial statistics of consolidated general government   read more »

Consumer price inflation picked up slightly in October, rising to 7,6% from 7,5% in September. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%, up from 0,1%. Bread & cereals, meat and dairy drive food prices higher The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages edged higher to 12,0% from 11,9% in September.   read more »