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 »

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 »

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 measure. Despite its relatively small size, forestry & logging produces essential raw materials used   read more »

Marriage, once a milestone eagerly reached in the early twenties, is now being postponed as individuals prioritise careers, personal growth, and independence. In modern times, love and commitment are no longer bound by age but by readiness. Across the globe, the traditional timeline for tying the knot is shifting, and South Africa is no exception.   read more »

Stats SA had a bumper schedule in March, with 35 releases published on a wide range of topics. Key economic outputs included the latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, formal-sector employment, data on electricity generation and a comprehensive set of energy flow accounts. Agriculture, trade and finance push the economy forward After a bumpy third   read more »

Every year, thousands of babies in South Africa never get to take their first breath, while many others die within days of birth. The latest report from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Perinatal Deaths in South Africa, 2016–2020, highlights a concerning trend: stillbirths have more than doubled since 1997, reaching 15,908 in 2020. Early neonatal   read more »

Despite a significant post-pandemic recovery, South Africa’s international tourism sector remains 12,8% below 2019 levels, highlighting the country’s slow path to full recovery. However, according to the Tourism, 2024 report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), South Africa remained a top destination in 2024, with a total of 8,9 million tourists arriving in the   read more »