South Africa is experiencing a profound shift in its marital landscape, with the latest data revealing not only a rise in divorce rates but also a steady decline in the number of marriages being registered. The new data shows a notable uptick in divorces and a clear trend: women are increasingly the ones initiating the   read more »

According to Statistics South Africa’s Volunteer Activities Survey, 2024, an estimated 3,1 million South Africans aged 15 and older participated in volunteer work in 2024—up from 2,7 million in 2018 and 2,2 million in 2014, representing a volunteer rate of 6,9% of the adult population. Volunteer work refers to any unpaid, non‑compulsory activity that individuals   read more »

Headline consumer inflation cooled to 3,0% in February from 3,5% in January. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%. To understand why inflation decreased this month, it is useful to compare the monthly change in February this year (0,4%) with February 2025 (0,9%). February’s monthly print was lower than average, and this   read more »

Stats SA recently published an update on the influence of Black Friday on November retail trade sales.1 The event has become synonymous with e-commerce. According to data quoted by BusinessDay, there was a sharp rise in online Black Friday purchases in 2025.2,3 While Stats SA does not publish data specifically on the influence of e-commerce   read more »

South Africa’s ageing population is increasing steadily, bringing both opportunities and challenges for ensuring that people age well. According to the Marginalised Groups Series VIII – Healthy Ageing in South Africa, 2024, released by Statistics South Africa, the number of persons aged 60 years or older in South Africa increased from 3,6 million (7,7% of   read more »

Black Friday deals were aplenty in November. Recent retail trade sales data show how consumers allocated their spending between November and December, and how this split has shifted over time. The impact of Black Friday was previously covered using data for 2019, 20211 and 2024.2 Retail trade sales figures published last month provide an update   read more »

The South African economy recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by 0,4% in the fourth quarter (October–December) of 2025.1 Finance, trade and personal services drove much of the upward momentum on the production (supply) side of the economy. A rise in household spending, gross fixed capital formation and government consumption lifted the expenditure   read more »

The latest round of monthly business cycle indicators concludes the results for 2025, providing a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 and for the calendar year. The year was generally positive, according to selected indicators shown in Figure 1 below. Many indicators were stronger, with decreases recorded for manufacturing, electricity generation,   read more »

Households and individuals in South Africa are reporting slightly greater financial adequacy than a decade ago — but many still say their income falls short of meeting their everyday needs. This is one of the key insights emerging from Statistics South Africa’s new report titled: Subjective Poverty in South Africa: Findings from the Income &   read more »

In cities and townships, on busy streets and in small neighbourhood markets, a significant part of South Africa’s economy goes about its work. It operates without being covered by formal arrangements, yet it supports millions of people.  The informal sector is a vital source of income in a country facing persistent unemployment and inequality. This   read more »