Stats SA published 23 statistical releases in May, several providing a preliminary overview of economic performance in the first quarter. Other notable outputs in the month include the latest inflation and unemployment figures. Business performance in the quarter The monthly business data conclude the results for the first quarter of the calendar year. Mining, manufacturing, electricity   read more »

Access to safe, sufficient, and reliable drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental human right essential for health and everyday life. However, access to this right remains inequitable, both globally and in South Africa. According to the General Household Survey (GHS), 2024, released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), while 71,8% of urban residents have   read more »

Headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation for April was 2,8%, slightly higher than March’s 2,7%. The change in the CPI between March and April was 0,3%. Beef prices rise sharply in April Inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) rose to 4,0%, the highest annual rate since September 2024 (4,6%). The monthly change for the   read more »

On 6 May 2025, the Constitutional Court of South Africa made an important decision about a law that caused some South Africans to lose their South African citizenship. The court said that part of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995(Act No. 88 of 1995), specifically section 6(1)(a), is unconstitutional, which means it goes against the   read more »

There is more to the consumer price index (CPI) than the headline figure. Stats SA publishes the CPI every month on the second-last Wednesday at 10:00. One of the datasets published with the statistical release allows users to create custom indices and inflation rates. The CPI basket: A profile of household spending The inflation basket of   read more »

According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) for Q1:2025, young people aged 15 to 34 make up roughly 50,2% of South Africa’s working-age population, translating to approximately 20,9 million individuals. Within this cohort, the 15-24 age group—representing around 10,3 million individuals—faces the highest barriers to entering   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                            08 May 2025                                                          Statistics South Africa to   read more »

After a busy March, Stats SA’s publication schedule was quieter in April. Eighteen releases were published in the month. Business performance a mixed bag Several sectors were weaker in February on a year-on-year basis. These include mining; manufacturing; wholesale trade; motor trade; restaurants, catering & fast-food; road freight; and road passenger transport (Figure 1). Mining production   read more »

Forestry & logging is the second smallest of 16 industries covered by Stats SA’s structural industry surveys. To get a sense of scale, manufacturing – the biggest of the 16 – is 82 times larger if income is used as a measuring tool. Explore the forestry & logging industry, as well as other stories, in   read more »

Headline consumer inflation decreased for the first time in five months, edging lower to 2,7% in March from 3,2% in February. The decline was mainly due to lower fuel prices and softer tuition inflation. Fuel and education help ease inflationary pressure The fuel index softened by 0,4% from February, taking the annual rate from -3,6%   read more »