Retail trade sales surged in November, marking the most significant year-on-year jump for the month in seven years.1 The latest round of data, which concludes the results for the calendar year, provides an opportunity to re-examine2 November sales over time. November nipping at Santa’s heels One can think of Black Friday as a competitor to   read more »

27 February 2025 MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                      Statistics South Africa to release the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q4 2024   Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the results of the Gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2024, at a media briefing on Tuesday, 4 March  2025 in Tshwane. The results will   read more »

South Africa’s youth, defined as individuals aged 15–34 years, form a crucial demographic and make up nearly one-third of the population. They represent a dynamic generation navigating a rapidly evolving society influenced by the labour market, poverty, crime and access to quality education. According to the 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates, approximately 21 million young people   read more »

Consumer inflation was 3,2% in January 2025, up slightly from 3,0% in December 2024. The January consumer price index (CPI) is the first to incorporate the changes to the CPI basket and weights announced last month.1 Food inflation slightly softer in January The CPI for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) increased by 2,3% in the 12 months to   read more »

Across South Africa, millions of grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren. Whether due to economic hardship, parental struggles, or social shifts, more children are finding their strongest support system in their grandparents’ arms. According to the report Child Series Volume IV: Children Living with Grandparents in South Africa, 2023, approximately 6,7 million grandparents   read more »

South Africa, a country shaped by its young population, is quietly undergoing a demographic shift that could reshape its future. While the country still has a relatively young population compared to many developed nations, declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy are steadily pushing the median age upward. As the working-age population shrinks in proportion,   read more »

Migration is reshaping South Africa’s social and economic landscape, yet behind the statistics are real people—families seeking stability, workers driving industries, and vulnerable groups at risk. South Africa’s immigrant population has seen a steady rise over the past few decades, increasing from 2,1% of the total population in 1996 to 3,9% in 2022. By 2022,   read more »

The 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) underscored South Africa’s pressing labour market challenges, with unemployment remaining a top national concern. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reports an unemployment rate of 31,9% in Q4: 2024, reflecting the continued difficulty many South Africans face in securing jobs. Beyond unemployment, time-related underemployment remains a challenge,   read more »

Household income and expenditure are fundamental components of a country’s economic landscape, influencing everything from consumer behaviour and savings rates to economic growth and stability. Statistics South Africa recently published the Income & Expenditure Survey (IES) 2022/2023 (statistical release P0100). This statistical release focuses on the income, consumption and spending patterns of households at national,   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                       13 February 2025                                                   read more »