According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2024) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 42 000 in the second quarter of 2024, bringing the level of employment to 10,7 million. According to the survey 144 000 jobs were lost between June 2023 and June 2024.   read more »

The South African economy strengthened by 0,4%1 in the second quarter (April–June) of 2024. The finance, manufacturing, trade, and electricity, gas & water supply industries drove most of the economy’s momentum on the production (supply) side. On the expenditure (demand) side, household consumption, government consumption and a build-up in inventories contributed favourably to growth. Seven   read more »

The latest set of economic indicators paint a preliminary picture of economic performance in the second quarter (April–June). The quarter in a nutshell Several sectors enjoyed positive gains in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the first quarter of 2024. These include manufacturing, electricity generation, construction (buildings reported as completed to larger municipalities), wholesale   read more »

A picture can tell an intricate story. The graphic below speaks for 257 public institutions. Figure 1 shows the distribution of revenue across South Africa’s extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs). In the 2022/23 financial year, EBAs received or generated R390,2 billion in revenue, according to the latest data. EBAs play a significant role in the financial management   read more »

“Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”) has become a powerful symbol of women’s strength and resistance. During Women’s Month, we celebrate the achievements of women in South Africa and the critical role they play in our society. Regrettably, women in SA continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of unemployment,   read more »

Stats SA has published monthly residential property price indices for provinces and metropolitan areas since March 2023. Here is a rundown of the latest inflation data for the housing market. The Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) measures the change in prices for all dwellings, including houses, townhouses, and flats that are purchased by private individuals.1 The   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 »

The annual change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 5,1% in June, down from 5,2% in May. Inflation has remained within the 5% to 6% range for the past 10 months. The monthly rate was 0,1% in June. Annual food inflation the lowest in 45 months After stalling at 4,7% in April and May,   read more »

The post and telecommunications industry experienced notable changes in the period 2019–2022, according to a recent report. Shifts in both telecommunication and postal services reflect broader changes in the economy. Fact #1: Mobile lines dominate telecommunications income Consumers love their phones! This is evident in Figure 1, which provides an overview of services that help keep   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 »