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 »

Recently, Stats SA explored the latest data on gambling and betting activity in South Africa.1 Further to this, another set of data provides a high-level financial overview of institutions tasked with regulating the industry. Stats SA’s Financial statistics of extra-budgetary accounts and funds statistical release focuses on cash flow data for 260 public institutions referred   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation pulled back in August, easing to 3,3% from 3,5% in July. Softer food and fuel inflation took some of the heat off the headline rate. The monthly change was also lower. The consumer price index (CPI) decreased by 0,1% between July and August, with four of thirteen categories in the inflation   read more »

Gambling and betting are on the rise. Not only is this supported by data from the National Gambling Board, but it has also emerged in economic and household findings from Stats SA. The great switch The industry is booming, according to the National Gambling Board of South Africa.1 Gross gambling revenue2 was R59,3 billion in the   read more »

The latest set of monthly economic indicators sheds some light on how the economy performed in the second quarter (April–June). There were several other notable releases in the month, including the most recent inflation and unemployment figures. Business performance largely upbeat Mining and manufacturing rebounded after two consecutive quarters of decline. Mining production expanded by   read more »

Headline consumer inflation increased to 3,5% in July from 3,0% in June. This is the highest rate since September 2024, when it was 3,8%. Prices increased on average by 0,9% between June and July. Household food budgets under pressure Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) continued to rise, accelerating to 5,7% from 5,1% in   read more »

The latest set of monthly economic data is mainly positive, with several indicators strengthening on a year-on-year basis in May. Consumer spending was stronger, with retail trade, motor trade, tourist accommodation and restaurants, catering & fast-food extending their gains. On the downside, wholesale trade, road freight transport and road passenger transport recorded a weaker month   read more »

After holding steady at 2,8% in April and May, consumer inflation edged higher to 3,0% in June. The month-on-month change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,3%. Food inflation accelerates further The annual rate for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) reached a 15-month high of 5,1% in June. Meat – particularly beef – continues   read more »

June was a busy month for Stats SA’s publication schedule, with 28 releases published in the month. Lacklustre economic growth in the first quarter June began with the release of the latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, for the first quarter (January–March) of 2025. GDP expanded by a muted 0,1%, with agriculture leading the increase.   read more »

Consumer price inflation was 2,8% in May, unchanged from 2,8% in April. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0,2% between April and May. Food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) is the only category that contributed to the monthly increase in the CPI. The monthly change in food & NAB was 1,1%, following a 1,3% rise   read more »