The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) results show that number of employees working in businesses increased by 38 thousand – from 8 457 000 in the third quarter of 2013 to 8 495 000 in the fourth quarter. This was driven by an increase of 35 000 in the Trade industry and increases in the Community and social services   read more »

In 2011, 26 466 deaths that took place in Cape Town were recorded, compared to 19 574 deaths that occurred in Tshwane. Both cities had a decrease in the number of deaths from those observed in 2010, with a higher decrease observed for Cape Town (5,6%) than for Tshwane (1,7%). Most deaths that occurred in Cape Town   read more »

The seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased at an annualised rate of 3,8 per cent. The main contributors to this increase in economic activity were the manufacturing industry (1,8 percentage points) and the mining and quarrying industry (0,8 of a percentage point). The manufacturing   read more »

2014 kicked off with an acceleration in the inflation rate to 5,8% from the 5,4% recorded in December last year.  A 3% monthly increase in the petrol price was the biggest factor driving the change.  Annual petrol inflation now stands at just under 15%. Food prices rose by 1,6% between December and January, mainly driven   read more »

Statistical agencies across the world periodically revise published statistical series when new information becomes available. So too does Stats SA. In the past, labour market information has been revised following the release of the results of Census 1996, Census 2001 and the large-scale Community Survey of 2007. Similarly, the current revision has been undertaken to   read more »

Based on revised estimates, in quarter 4 of 2013, employment levels rose to 15,2 million – surpassing the peak reached in quarter 4 of 2008 during the pre-recession period. However, quarterly job gains of 141 000 in quarter 4 of 2013 were largely due to an increase in informal sector employment of 123 000. In addition, most   read more »

If you were fortunate enough to go away during the December holidays, January may be the time you look back on how much it all cost you. CPI inflation for December 2013 was 5,4%, slightly higher than the 5,3% of November 2013. But most of the specific holiday costs are showing inflation rates above this average. If you   read more »

CPI inflation registered its third successive decrease in November 2013, printing at 5,3% against October’s 5,5%. The monthly increase in the CPI was a mild 0,1%. The drop of 28c/l in the petrol price was the main cause of the slowdown in inflation in November 2013 together with decreases in certain cell phone call and   read more »

Subdued monthly price increases led the annual Producer Price Index (PPI) for final manufactured goods (headline PPI) to drop to 6,3% in October from 6,7% in September and August 2013. The monthly figure increased by 0,5% – up slightly from the 0,4% increase in September and lower than the 0,9% in October 2012. The two   read more »

The CPI inflation rate fell for the second consecutive month in October to 5,5% from 6% in September. The drop is mainly because of lower monthly price increases, especially when compared to the same period in 2012. The monthly increase was 0,2% compared to 0,6% in October last year. The drop in the petrol price   read more »