According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 74 000 (-0,7%) in the first quarter of 2025, with employment falling from 10,65 million in December 2024 to 10,58 million by March 2025. According to the survey, 95 000 jobs   read more »

Consumer price inflation was 2,8% in May, unchanged from 2,8% in April. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0,2% between April and May. Food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) is the only category that contributed to the monthly increase in the CPI. The monthly change in food & NAB was 1,1%, following a 1,3% rise   read more »

As South Africa marks Child Protection Week from May 29 to June 5, 2025, attention turns to one of the country’s most vulnerable groups—children with special needs. While Child Protection Week traditionally focuses on raising awareness around child abuse and neglect, attention is increasingly being drawn to an often-overlooked issue: the challenges preventing children with   read more »

The South African economy kept its head above water in the first quarter of 2025 (January–March), expanding by a marginal 0,1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.1 Four of the ten industries on the production (supply) side of the economy recorded positive gains, with agriculture driving most of the upward momentum. Household spending, stronger   read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »