As Statistics South Africa marks 30 years of conducting democratic censuses, and as the nation celebrates Heritage Month, Census data offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how South Africans have changed, lived, and connected over the past three decades. A census does more than count people; it tells the story of a nation in read more »
Expenditure patterns across South Africa’s provinces are similar but not identical. While provinces spend the bulk of their budgets on education and health, a closer look at their financial data reveals differences in spending priorities and patterns. Stats SA’s latest Financial statistics of provincial government statistical release provides a wealth of detail on the financial read more »
According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2026) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by14 000 (-0,1%) in the second quarter of 2026, falling from 10,439 million in March 2026 to 10,425 million by June 2026. Overall, 95 000 jobs were lost between June 2025 and read more »
Every year, September turns the spotlight on one of the body’s most vital organs: the heart. In South Africa, Heart Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the importance of protecting heart health through healthy lifestyle choices. The month culminates in World Heart Day on 29 September; a global read more »
2022 While South Africa observes Heritage Month, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) celebrates three decades of conducting censuses. We examine trends in first marriages over four census periods, focusing on how their timing has shifted. Marriage is central to numerous heritage traditions, including ilobolo negotiations, customary celebrations, and religious or civil ceremonies. Data from the read more »
Annual consumer inflation increased to 4,4% in August from 4,3% in July. Several aspects stand out in this month’s print. Food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) inflation quickened for the first time in nine months, both the alcoholic beverages & tobacco and health indices declined month-on-month, and fuel inflation continued to ease. The consumer price index read more »
Geographers and historians have been arguing that the African continent is bigger than it is actually displayed on the world map, but its size was shrunk to a smaller size long time ago. The projection of the world map which is called Mercator map, was created by the 16th century geographer Gerardus Mercator to plot read more »
Thirty years of constitutional democracy and census-taking have given South Africa a rich statistical record of change. Census data from 1996 to 2022 reveal important gains in education, employment and representation in leadership. These achievements take on particular significance in September, as South Africa observes Literacy Month and marks International Literacy Day on 8 September, read more »
After six consecutive quarters of growth, the South African economy stalled in the second quarter (April–June) of 2026, weakening by 0,2%.1 Mining, trade and manufacturing drove down economic activity on the production (supply) side of the economy, while a sharp rise in imports and subdued investment constrained growth on the expenditure (demand) side. Three industries read more »
According to the latest report released by Statistics South Africa, Gender Series Volume XIII: Gender Disparities in Care Work in South Africa, 2026, gender differences are evident in the reasons people mention for not attending an educational institution. Males were more likely to cite poor academic performance, while females were more likely to report family read more »