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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Debt can quickly become a curse if businesses take on more than they can handle. The most recent financial data from Stats SA covers debt in the formal business sector, highlighting industries that might be more at risk, with a particular focus on small enterprises. Businesses borrowed less in 2024 Total debt (i.e. liabilities) in   read more »

Stats SA kick-started the year with 20 statistical releases, with fresh economic data for November 2025. Indicators that were positive year-on-year in November 2025 include construction (buildings completed as reported by large municipalities); retail trade; tourist accommodation; restaurants, catering & fast-food; and rail transport (freight and passenger). Mining, manufacturing, electricity generation, wholesale trade, motor trade and   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation eased to 3,5% in November from 3,6% in October. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was -0,1%. Annual inflation cooled in five of the 13 product categories, most notably transport; recreation, sport & culture; and information & communication. Four categories registered no change. Food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB),   read more »

Employment in SA’s formal non-agricultural sector edged up in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) released by Statistics South Africa. The survey shows a gain of 29 000 jobs (0,3%), with employment rising from 10,52 million in June 2025 to 10,55 million in September 2025. However, year-on-year figures paint a different   read more »

Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0,5% in the third quarter (July–September) of 2025.1 This follows a revised increase of 0,9% in the second quarter and marks the fourth consecutive rise in economic activity. Mining grows the most Nine of the ten industries on the production (supply) side of the economy were stronger in   read more »