IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

With Black Friday upon us, South African consumers have begun scouting for the latest deals. Monthly retail trade sales data show how Black Friday has shifted shopping behaviour over time. Consumers splurge during the festive season The graphic below shows the distribution of retail trade sales by month, for the year 2019. If all months   read more »

Annual consumer inflation dipped to 7,6% in August from 7,8% in July. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%, the lowest reading since January 2022 when it was also 0,2%. Fuel prices decreased by 3,8% between July and August, with petrol falling by 5,0% and diesel by 0,9%. This pushed the   read more »

In 2021, South Africa had a population of approximately 60,5 million people. Although some South Africans resided in institutions such as hospitals and old age homes, SA had an estimated 18 million households, with an average household size of 3,34 persons. A quick glance at the General Household Survey, 2021 (GHS) released by Statistics South   read more »

Foot-and-mouth disease is scary. The recent outbreak, identified in at least five provinces, has serious implications for the livestock industry. Stats SA takes a look at the revenue streams that might be affected, and identifies where vulnerable industries might be located. What products does agriculture depend on the most? The disease is relentless. It spreads   read more »

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious implications for the global economy, with food security and nutrition being particularly impacted. South Africa, like many countries around the world, has not been spared. According to a report released by Statistics South Africa, Measuring Food Security in South Africa: Applying the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, almost 23,6 per   read more »

Experience of crime in SA dropped over 2020/21 period According to the Governance, Public Safety, and Justice Survey, 2020/21 (GPSJS) released by Statistics South Africa, levels of crime experienced by households and individuals in SA over the 2020/21 period has dropped. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented strict measures, with multi-level lockdowns, curfews,   read more »

Annual headline inflation jumped to 4,4% in April from 3,2% in March, mainly driven by rising transport and food prices. This is the highest reading since before the lockdown, which was 4,6% in February 2020. Over the last 14 months, consumer price inflation was relatively subdued throughout the lockdown. The lockdown began on 27 March   read more »

It all started with the Pieter Faure. This relatively small, unassuming ship, built in Scotland, laid the foundation for the development of South Africa’s commercial, ocean fishing industry as we know it today. John Gilchrist might not have guessed the extent of the contribution he would make when he boarded the Pieter Faure in 1897.   read more »

19 February 2021 The producer price indices (PPIs) for January 2021 will reflect updates to the basket and weights, and will be rebased to December 2020 = 100. Tracking price changes of locally produced goods, the PPIs cover the following industries: manufacturing; water and electricity; mining and quarrying; and agriculture, forestry and fishing. Industry-level weights   read more »

South Africa’s economy rebounded in the third quarter of 2020 (July–September), coinciding with the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. All industries recorded an increase in economic activity compared with the second quarter, with manufacturing, trade and mining leading the charge. Businesses were supported by an increase in both exports and household spending. Gross domestic product   read more »