Stats SA’s publication schedule was quieter in April, with 20 statistical releases published in the month. The latest economic figures cover the month of February. On the upside Most indicators were positive year-on-year. Mining; construction (buildings completed as reported by large municipalities); retail trade sales; motor trade sales; tourist accommodation; restaurants, catering & fast-food; and   read more »

South Africa’s tourism sector had a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plummeting visitor numbers led to a decline in economic activity and job losses across the industry. Recovery has been slow, but recent data show a positive trend. Employment, economic activity and domestic tourism expenditure have all rebounded, according to the latest Tourism Satellite   read more »

South Africa’s international tourism sector recorded a strong recovery in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time since global travel disruptions. According to the Tourism report (2025) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the country welcomed 10,5 million tourists in 2025, representing a 17,7% increase from the 8,9 million tourists recorded in 2024.   read more »

September marks Tourism Month in South Africa. Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, this annual campaign aims to highlight the importance of tourism to the national economy, promote domestic travel and attract international visitors to experience the country’s diverse offerings. Statistics South Africa’s Tourism Satellite Account for 2022 shows that the Tourism Direct Gross Domestic   read more »

The South African economy kept its head above water in the first quarter of 2025 (January–March), expanding by a marginal 0,1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.1 Four of the ten industries on the production (supply) side of the economy recorded positive gains, with agriculture driving most of the upward momentum. Household spending, stronger   read more »

Despite a significant post-pandemic recovery, South Africa’s international tourism sector remains 12,8% below 2019 levels, highlighting the country’s slow path to full recovery. However, according to the Tourism, 2024 report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), South Africa remained a top destination in 2024, with a total of 8,9 million tourists arriving in the   read more »

Stats SA published 22 releases in November, many of which provide a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the third quarter (July–September). An overview of the quarter A number of sectors witnessed a rise in economic activity in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2024. Mining, manufacturing, electricity generation, construction   read more »

After a busy June, Stats SA’s publication schedule was quieter in July. The agency published 22 releases. Key highlights include an update on inflation and an exploration of South Africa’s biodiversity-based tourism sector. Consumer inflation softens to a six-month low Headline inflation edged lower to 5,1% in June from 5,2% in May. June’s print is   read more »

A first of its kind, the release of South Africa’s experimental estimates for biodiversity-based tourism paints a picture of this sector’s contribution to economic activity, employment and tourism spend. What is biodiversity-based tourism? If you visit a game park, hike at a nature reserve, snorkel along the coast, relax in a national botanical garden, or   read more »

The economic fallout from COVID-19 affected many industries, including South Africa’s tourism sector. A decline in revenue from domestic (resident) visitors and inbound (non-resident) visitors, exacerbated by stringent travel restrictions, saw a fall in tourism trips, tourism-related expenditure, and employment. The sector has shown signs of recovering from the pandemic’s repercussions. The latest Tourism Satellite   read more »