Municipal debt figures can be sliced and diced in several ways. The debt-to-income ratio is one of several indicators used to gauge the financial health of municipalities. A breakdown of municipal liabilities In non-financial circles, the word debt is often associated broadly with liabilities, which is any financial obligation that must be paid. This can   read more »

September marks Tourism Month in South Africa. Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, this annual campaign aims to highlight the importance of tourism to the national economy, promote domestic travel and attract international visitors to experience the country’s diverse offerings. Statistics South Africa’s Tourism Satellite Account for 2022 shows that the Tourism Direct Gross Domestic   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation pulled back in August, easing to 3,3% from 3,5% in July. Softer food and fuel inflation took some of the heat off the headline rate. The monthly change was also lower. The consumer price index (CPI) decreased by 0,1% between July and August, with four of thirteen categories in the inflation   read more »

Following marginal growth of 0,1% in the first quarter of 2025, real gross domestic product (GDP) strengthened by 0,8%1 in the second quarter (April–June). Manufacturing, mining and trade led growth on the production (supply) side of the economy. The expenditure (demand) side was also positive, lifted mainly by stronger household consumption and softer imports. Eight   read more »

Gambling and betting are on the rise. Not only is this supported by data from the National Gambling Board, but it has also emerged in economic and household findings from Stats SA. The great switch The industry is booming, according to the National Gambling Board of South Africa.1 Gross gambling revenue2 was R59,3 billion in the   read more »

The latest set of monthly economic indicators sheds some light on how the economy performed in the second quarter (April–June). There were several other notable releases in the month, including the most recent inflation and unemployment figures. Business performance largely upbeat Mining and manufacturing rebounded after two consecutive quarters of decline. Mining production expanded by   read more »

Women make up just over half of South Africa’s population, yet their ability to fully participate in the economy remains uneven. From securing credit to owning land, accessing finance as capital to finding opportunities in formal employment, barriers continue to limit women’s financial inclusion. The impact is most pronounced among women in rural communities, low-income   read more »

Housebreaking remains the most experienced crime affecting South African households in 2024/25, according to the latest Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS). Despite this, perceptions of safety have improved slightly. The survey shows that 81,0% of people aged 16 and older felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day in 2024/25, compared   read more »

Headline consumer inflation increased to 3,5% in July from 3,0% in June. This is the highest rate since September 2024, when it was 3,8%. Prices increased on average by 0,9% between June and July. Household food budgets under pressure Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) continued to rise, accelerating to 5,7% from 5,1% in   read more »

This year’s Women’s Month marks two major milestones: the 69th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings and the 30th anniversary of the first official National Women’s Day. Under the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All,” the 2025 commemoration highlights the importance of women’s participation in leadership and the economy. As the   read more »