Black Friday deals were aplenty in November. Recent retail trade sales data show how consumers allocated their spending between November and December, and how this split has shifted over time. The impact of Black Friday was previously covered using data for 2019, 20211 and 2024.2 Retail trade sales figures published last month provide an update   read more »

The South African economy recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by 0,4% in the fourth quarter (October–December) of 2025.1 Finance, trade and personal services drove much of the upward momentum on the production (supply) side of the economy. A rise in household spending, gross fixed capital formation and government consumption lifted the expenditure   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY 5 MARCH 2026 THE 5TH ISIBALO SYMPOSIUM – ADVANCING EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, in collaboration with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), will host the 5th Isibalo Symposium on 12 and 13 March 2026. The symposium serves as a platform to promote evidence-based decision-making through collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing among key   read more »

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                                                     05 March 2026 Statistics South Africa to release the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4 2025 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the results of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2025 at a media briefing on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in Tshwane. GDP, quarter four results will   read more »

The braai brought many friends and family together this past December. South Africa’s favourite pastime is a staple of any holiday season. An exploration of ten favourite braai-related items shows that the activity has become more expensive over time. Explore the cost of a braai, as well as other stories, in this edition of Stats   read more »

The latest round of monthly business cycle indicators concludes the results for 2025, providing a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 and for the calendar year. The year was generally positive, according to selected indicators shown in Figure 1 below. Many indicators were stronger, with decreases recorded for manufacturing, electricity generation,   read more »

Households and individuals in South Africa are reporting slightly greater financial adequacy than a decade ago — but many still say their income falls short of meeting their everyday needs. This is one of the key insights emerging from Statistics South Africa’s new report titled: Subjective Poverty in South Africa: Findings from the Income &   read more »

In cities and townships, on busy streets and in small neighbourhood markets, a significant part of South Africa’s economy goes about its work. It operates without being covered by formal arrangements, yet it supports millions of people.  The informal sector is a vital source of income in a country facing persistent unemployment and inequality. This   read more »

Debt can quickly become a curse if businesses take on more than they can handle. The most recent financial data from Stats SA covers debt in the formal business sector, highlighting industries that might be more at risk, with a particular focus on small enterprises. Businesses borrowed less in 2024 Total debt (i.e. liabilities) in   read more »

South Africa is home to more than 3 million immigrants, accounting for 5,1% of the country’s population, according to the latest Migration Statistics Report based on the 2022/23 Income and Expenditure Survey. Most of these immigrants—63,6%—hail from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The data also reveals a distinct demographic trend: most immigrants   read more »