Stats SA resumed the publication<\/a> of the monthly Statistics of insolvencies<\/em> statistical release after a long break. The release provides a monthly count of insolvencies in each province from January 2023 to June 2026. According to the data<\/a>, the number of insolvencies in the South African economy declined by 11,1% (from 847 to 753 cases) in the first six months of 2026 compared with the first six months of 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insolvencies refer to partnerships or individuals that are unable to pay their debts and are placed under final sequestration. A possible outcome of insolvency is liquidation, which refers to the winding-up of a company or close corporation when its liabilities exceed assets and it is unable to meet its financial obligations. Stats SA\u2019s Statistics of liquidations<\/em><\/a> statistical release showed the number of liquidations declined by 0,9% (from 1 373 to 1 361 cases) in the first six months of 2026 compared with the first six months of 2025. The 1 361 cases in the first half of 2026 comprised 1 299 voluntary and 132 compulsory liquidations (i.e. by order of the court).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The latest monthly business indicators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The insolvency and liquidation datasets are among the many published by Stats SA that provide insight into the health of the economy. Figure 1 below shows additional indicators from the statistical agency\u2019s monthly business surveys and inflation series. In May, mining<\/a>; manufacturing<\/a>; electricity generation<\/a>; buildings completed (as reported by large municipalities)<\/a>; wholesale trade sales<\/a>; restaurants, catering & fast-food<\/a>; rail freight transport<\/a>; and road passenger transport<\/a> were weaker year-on-year (see Figure 1 below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mining activity<\/a> cooled by 5,4% with iron ore, coal and platinum group metals the largest negative contributors. Iron ore production declined by 12,7%, coal by 6,1% and platinum group metals by 4,4%. Together, the three subtracted 4,8 percentage points from overall growth. Diamonds, nickel, copper and gold were also softer year-on-year. Chromium ore and manganese ore registered positive growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South African manufacturing<\/a> decreased by 4,3%. Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions experienced a lacklustre month. Food & beverages was the most significant negative contributor, retreating by 6,4% year-on-year and pulling overall growth down by 1,6 percentage points. Six other divisions also recorded losses in May, with wood, paper, printing & publishing; furniture & other manufacturing; and glass & non-metallic mineral products registering the sharpest decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three divisions were stronger. Petroleum, chemical, rubber & plastic products; textiles & clothing; and electrical machinery recorded gains, but their influence was not enough to offset declines elsewhere in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National electricity generation<\/a> weakened by 9,0% year-on-year. Production was up by 0,6% month-on-month, following three consecutive decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the upside, Figure 1 shows retail trade sales<\/a>, tourist accommodation<\/a>, road freight transport<\/a> and rail passenger transport<\/a> increasing year-on-year in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retail trade<\/a> strengthened by 2,3%. Five of the seven retail groups recorded a rise in sales, with the miscellaneous category \u2013 all \u2018other\u2019 retailers \u2013 and textiles & clothing the leading drivers of growth. The all \u2018other\u2019 retailers category includes online stores and retailers specialising in jewellery, stationery and sports goods. Household furniture & appliances, pharmaceuticals & medical goods and general dealers were also stronger in May. On the downside, hardware, paint & glass recorded a decrease. Food & beverages was also weaker, registering its sixth consecutive month of year-on-year decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consumer inflation accelerates to a 2-year high<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rising fuel prices continued to drive consumer inflation<\/a> higher. The headline rate rose sharply to 5,0% in June from 4,5% in May, the highest reading since June\u00a02024 when the rate was 5,1%. Food & beverages inflation, however, continued to slow, declining to 1,6% from 1,9% in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factory-gate inflation<\/a> dipped in June, edging lower to 7,5% from 7,8% in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to look forward to in August<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The next set of employment and unemployment data will be published on 11 August, and will cover the second quarter of 2026. The statistical release will be published here<\/a>. For those interested in government statistics, financial data for extra-budgetary accounts and funds for 2024\/2025 will be released here<\/a> on 27 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interested to know more? Keep up to date with our publication schedule<\/a>. For a comprehensive list of products and releases, download our catalogue<\/a>. For a regular update of indicators and infographics, visit our data story feed<\/a> and download the latest edition of the Stats Biz newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Stats SA welcomed the return of a regular data series to its publication schedule in July. Reintroduction of insolvency data Stats SA resumed the publication of the monthly Statistics of insolvencies statistical release after a long break. The release provides a monthly count of insolvencies in each province from January 2023 to June 2026. According to read more »<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Figure_01-4-1024x840.jpg\")
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