Poverty and age often move hand in hand, affecting people in different ways across the life cycle. A recent report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), “Poverty trends in South Africa: An examination of absolute poverty between 2006 and 2023”, sheds new light on how poverty has evolved over nearly two decades. Drawing on data   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 80 000 (-0,8%) in the second quarter of 2025, with employment falling from 10,59 million in March 2025 to 10,51 million by June 2025. According to the survey, 229 000 jobs   read more »

This year’s Women’s Month marks two major milestones: the 69th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings and the 30th anniversary of the first official National Women’s Day. Under the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All,” the 2025 commemoration highlights the importance of women’s participation in leadership and the economy. As the   read more »

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has updated and revised the Census 2022 Municipal Profiles following a comprehensive assessment of census themes, variables, and geographic layers. These updates enhance the depth and accuracy of the data available to the public, researchers, and policymakers. Expanded Variables in SuperCROSS – Census 2022 Municipal Profiles New variables, which were   read more »

Behind every statistic is a story — and South Africa’s population tells a powerful one. From shifting demographics to growing numbers, here are six revealing snapshots from the Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2025 (MYPE) report, that shows who we are right now. 1.South Africa’s Population Hits 63,1 Million in 2025 South Africa’s mid-year population is estimated   read more »

The provision of free basic services to millions of households stems from the Free Basic Services (FBS) policy adopted in 2001. The policy outlined government’s intention to provide free services to the poorest (indigent) households. Over time, the FBS has expanded to include policies for free basic water, electricity, sewerage & sanitation and solid waste   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 74 000 (-0,7%) in the first quarter of 2025, with employment falling from 10,65 million in December 2024 to 10,58 million by March 2025. According to the survey, 95 000 jobs   read more »

Note: Figure 1 in the original version of this article (published on 27 March 2025) was incomplete, listing nine municipalities in the chart instead of ten. The article was revised on 08 April 2025 with a corrected Figure 1. Bucket toilets remain the thorn in the flesh of several municipalities. Despite an overall decline in the use of municipal bucket toilets   read more »

Since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, the nation has prided itself on its rich cultural and ethnic diversity, earning the title of the “Rainbow Nation.” Over the years, this diversity has not remained static – language, family structures, and religious affiliations have shifted, painting a dynamic picture of societal evolution. A new report   read more »

The number of homeless persons in South Africa has increased significantly over the past few decades, reflecting the ongoing challenges the country faces, particularly in the areas of inequality and poverty. According to a new report, A Profile of Homeless Persons in South Africa, 2022 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), in 1996, the   read more »