Public-sector spending on infrastructure and other fixed assets continued an upward trajectory, rising to R276 billion in 2024 from R234 billion in 2023. This marks a third successive increase following a five-year downturn. Despite the positive momentum, the total remains below the peak of R283 billion in 2016. The public sector includes national government and provincial government departments,   read more »

How easily can South African households access the justice system – and what do they think of it once they do? A new report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS) 2024/25, paints a revealing picture of citizens’ engagement with the country’s courts and correctional services. In   read more »

October marks Transport month in South Africa, a time to reflect on the progress and challenges in building a transport system that works for all. This year’s theme, “Implementing an integrated, sustainable, and safe transport system that promotes inclusive economic growth, job retention and creation, and social development,” captures the broader vision of a transport   read more »

MEDIA STATEMENT                                                 24 October 2025 For Immediate Release Stats SA warns the public against false door-to-door ID verification claims Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has noted false messages circulating on social media and community WhatsApp groups claiming that government officials are visiting households to verify identity documents or collect biometric information for census-related purposes. Stats   read more »

Annual consumer inflation rose slightly to 3,4% in September from 3,3% in August. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%. Annual inflation accelerated across several product categories, most notably transport and restaurants & accommodation. In contrast, food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB); alcoholic beverages & tobacco; and furnishings, household equipment & routine   read more »

Provincial government provides a wide range of essential services, from education and health to infrastructure development. Recent data show how much money provincial government spends, in particular on compensation of employees. Government expenditure can be classified in functional and economic terms. The functional view reflects the purpose for which transactions are undertaken, mainly in terms   read more »

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) compiles data on economic activities within each province, producing provincial gross domestic product (GDP) figures. The provincial GDPs estimates add to national GDP with each province contributing depending on their respective dominant industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and mining among  others. On 18 September 2025, Stats SA published Provincial gross   read more »

In September 2025, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) published results for a number of monthly surveys that were based on newly drawn samples. These surveys include: P3041.2 – Manufacturing: Production and sales; P6141.2 – Wholesale trade sales; P6242.1 – Retail trade sales; P6343.2 – Motor trade sales; P6410 – Tourist accommodation; P6420 – Food and   read more »

Municipal debt figures can be sliced and diced in several ways. The debt-to-income ratio is one of many indicators used to gauge the financial health of municipalities, helping to answer the question of whether a municipality has the capacity to repay its debt from its income. Explore municipal debt, as well as other stories, in   read more »

September was a busy month for Stats SA’s publication schedule. The statistical agency published 25 statistical releases, with several providing quarterly and annual updates. Provincial and national GDP Stats SA released its latest provincial gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, for the period 2013 to 2024. Six of the nine provinces experienced an increase in economic   read more »