South Africa's data, made clear

South Africa's official unemployment rate fell to 31.4% in Q4 2025 — the lowest since Q2 2022 — as 44,000 more people found work. The number of employed persons rose to 17.1 million. The expanded unemployment rate (including discouraged work-seekers) stands at 40.7%.

South Africa's real GDP grew 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2025, seasonally adjusted and annualised, above expectations of 0.3%. This marked the fifth consecutive quarter of expansion. Finance led growth (+1.4%), while manufacturing was the largest drag (-0.6%). For the full year 2025, GDP rose 1.1% — the strongest annual growth since 2022.

South Africa's headline CPI rose to 4.0% year-on-year in April 2026 — the steepest reading since August 2024. The main drivers were a sharp jump in fuel prices (+18% annually), higher electricity tariffs, and insurance costs. Food inflation eased to 2.9%. Core inflation (ex-food, fuel, energy) rose to 3.6%. This moves inflation above the SARB's new 3% target midpoint.

South Africa's estimated total population for mid-2024, based on Stats SA's mid-year population estimates. The 2022 Census counted 62.0 million. Annual population growth is estimated at approximately 1.4%.

The national senior certificate (matric) pass rate for the 2024 academic year, the highest on record. Bachelor's degree passes (qualifying for university entrance) were achieved by 47.8% of candidates. 1,044,415 candidates wrote the examinations.

Total murder cases reported nationally for the 2023/24 financial year (April 2023 – March 2024). This is the first decline in four years, equating to approximately 72 murders per day. The rate is 41.9 per 100,000 population.