POSTPONEMENT OF THE Q1: 2015 QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (QLFS) RELEASE

4 May 2015 The release of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) publication for the 1st quarter of 2015 will be postponed to the 19th of May 2015.  The release is postponed to facilitate further quality assurance of the data. Ends   Issued by Statistics South Africa   For technical enquiries contact Durieux Monet Acting   read more »


Education costs continue to outstrip inflation

Education costs continue to outstrip inflation

It is often said that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. A good education is worth its weight in gold, but recent figures released by Stats SA indicate that South African households will have to make more room in their budgets to pay for rising tuition fees. Stats SA updates education inflation figures   read more »


How much do South Africans spend on ICT?

How much do South Africans spend on ICT?

South African households spent R91,6 billion on ICT products in 2012, contributing 4,6% of total household expenditure. This is one of the findings from the Information and Communication Technology satellite account for South Africa report, which provides an overview of the economic role of the ICT sector in South Africa, in terms of household expenditure,   read more »


An economic look at the tourism industry

An economic look at the tourism industry

The tourism industry continues to play an important role in the South African economy. The latest Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa report provides an overview of tourism’s contribution in terms of spending, employment and its impact on the gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism direct GDP was R103,6 billion in 2013, rising from R93,5 billion   read more »


Environmental Economic Accounts Compendium

Environmental Economic Accounts Compendium

South Africa’s natural resources in the spotlight The natural environment provides resources that drive the economy and other human activities. Stats SA recently released estimates on the amount of energy, mineral and fishery resources available in South Africa, and the extent to which these are being consumed. The following are three interesting observations from the   read more »


Non-agricultural formal employment increases in fourth quarter of 2014

Non-agricultural formal employment increases in fourth quarter of 2014

The December 2014 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that total formal non-agricultural employment increased by 42 000 jobs from 8 947 000 in the third quarter to 8 989 000 in the fourth quarter of 2014. The quarterly increase was mainly due to increases reported by the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor   read more »


The importance of tracking prices: the case of petrol

The importance of tracking prices: the case of petrol

Changing fuel prices affect us all. With the recent downward trend in prices seemingly coming to an end, South Africans are again left wondering how the petrol price will affect their pockets. Consumer inflation data released today1 provide an indication of the impact that the recent period of low petrol prices had on the cost   read more »


Media Release: Education Series I – Focus on schooling in Limpopo

Media Release 12 March 2015   Education Series I: Focus on schooling in Limpopo report  gives details on the status of schooling in Limpopo About 97,9% of Limpopo residents between the ages of 7 and 18 years were attending some form of educational institution in 2013, up from 95,1% in 2002. This is according to   read more »


The decreasing importance of gold mining in South Africa

The decreasing importance of gold mining in South Africa

Monthly gold production reached a new monthly low in January, according to data released by Stats SA1. Although a number of temporary factors might have contributed to the unusually low level, general historical trends show that gold has lost the prominent place it once had in the South African economy. Stats SA has published comparable   read more »


Producer inflation continues to fall

Producer inflation continues to fall

Headline producer inflation, which measures the change in prices of final manufactured goods, has continued to decline. The annual rate fell to 3,5% in January 2015, down from 5,8% in December 2014 and a peak of 8,8% in April 2014. Falling prices for coal and petroleum products continued to drive producer inflation down, while higher   read more »