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 »

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 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 »

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 »

In a major stride toward addressing employment challenges, South Africa has officially launched its Labour Market Information System (LMIS), a groundbreaking platform aimed at revolutionising how labour data is collected, analysed, and shared. The LMIS, unveiled in September 2024, is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the International Labour   read more »

Labour migration, the movement of individuals across the borders for employment purposes, is a fundamental aspect of the global economy and has profound social, economic, and political implications. According to the report, Migration profile report for South Africa: A country profile 2023 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), most migrants entering South Africa originate   read more »

Over the past few years, South Africa has seen rising levels of crime. The issue of crime is one that is experienced by almost all citizens, irrespective of their economic status or where they live. New data released by Statistics South Africa shows that household crimes experienced in the twelve months preceding the interview increased   read more »

After six years of steady decline, the number of consumer units serviced with a municipal bucket toilet jumped from 42 434 in 2019 to 47 130 in 2020. Increases were reported in seven of South Africa’s 257 municipalities. This represents a rise of 4 696 consumer units, according to data from the latest Non-financial census of municipalities statistical   read more »

  What is poverty and what does it mean to be poor? Does it mean not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter? Does it mean not being able to afford to buy a car or furniture for your home or even go on holiday because your income does not   read more »

Jobs in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 76 000 in the fourth quarter of 2020, bringing the total number of persons employed in the formal non-agricultural sector in South Africa to approximately 9,64 million. This is according to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q4:2020) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Year-on-year, formal sector   read more »