South Africa faces sizable challenges, with unemployment and corruption topping the list of concerns among its citizens as of 2024. A recent survey revealed that ** percent of its respondents view unemployment as the country's biggest problem, closely followed by corruption at ** percent. These issues, along with load shedding, weak leadership, and crime, paint a picture of a nation grappling with complex socio-economic difficulties. Government performance under scrutiny The African National Congress (ANC) government bears the brunt of criticism, with ** percent of South Africans holding the party responsible for the country's main problems. This dissatisfaction is further evidenced by a 2022 survey showing widespread disapproval of the government's handling of key economic issues. An overwhelming ** percent believed the government performed poorly in keeping prices stable, while ** percent criticized its failure to create jobs. The unemployment crisis is particularly acute among young South Africans, with the rate for those aged 15 to 24 reaching a staggering **** percent in the second quarter of 2024. Corruption and economic concerns persist Corruption remains a pressing issue, with South Africa's Corruption Perception Index dropping to its lowest recorded level of ** points in 2023. This decline underscores the ongoing struggle to combat corruption effectively. The impact of these challenges on the population is evident, with ** percent of survey respondents expressing worry about financial and political corruption in December 2024. As the country continues to navigate these complex issues, addressing corruption and stimulating job creation will be crucial for improving the nation's economic outlook and public confidence.

In 2024, a ** percent share of respondents in a survey conducted in South Africa held the African National Congress (ANC) government accountable for the biggest problems facing the country. Following this, ** percent blamed Apartheid for the existing issues in the country.

Based on a survey conducted in 2022, ** percent of respondents cited unemployment as the most crucial issue that the South African government needs to address. This goes hand in hand with the ** percent who reported crime and security as the most important issue, as creating more jobs will likely reduce crime. Electricity was placed third, with ** percent of respondents declaring the lack of electricity supply as one of the three main issues that South Africa is currently facing.

Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Profiling health challenges faced by adolescents (10-19 years) in South Africa

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Debt Securities for All Issuers, All Maturities, Residence of Issuer in South Africa (IDSAMRINIZA) from Q1 1971 to Q1 2025 about issues, South Africa, maturity, debt, residents, securities, and Net.

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Debt Securities for Issuers in General Government Sector, All Maturities, Residence of Issuer in South Africa (IDSGAMRINIZA) from Q1 1971 to Q4 2024 about issues, South Africa, sector, maturity, debt, residents, securities, Net, and government.

South Africans prioritize land taken in forced removals, support ‘willing seller’ approach

Abstract

The primary objective of SASAS is to design, develop and implement a conceptually and methodologically robust study of changing social attitudes and values in South Africa to be able to carefully and consistently monitor and explain changes in attitudes amongst various socio-demographic groupings. The SASAS explores a wide range of value changes, including the distribution and shape of racial attitudes and aspirations, attitudes towards democratic and constitutional issues, and the redistribution of resources and power. Moreover, there is also an explicit interest in mapping changing attitudes towards some of the moral issues that confront and are fiercely debated in South Africa, such as gender issues, AIDS, crime and punishment, governance, and service delivery. The SASAS is intended to provide a unique long-term account of the social fabric of modern South Africa, and of how its changing political and institutional structures interact over time with changing social attitudes and values.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

The units of analysis in the study are households and individuals

Universe

The population under investigation includes adults aged 16 and older in private households in South Africa

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sampling Design The South African Social Attitudes Survey has been designed to yield a representative sample of adults aged 16 and older. The sampling frame for the survey is the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Master Sample, which was designed in 2002 and consists of 1 000 primary sampling units (PSUs). The 2001 population census enumerator areas (EAs) were used as PSUs. These PSUs were drawn, with probability proportional to size, from a pre-census 2001 list of EAs provided by Statistics South Africa.

The Master Sample excludes special institutions (such as hospitals, military camps, old age homes, school and university hostels), recreational areas, industrial areas and vacant EAs. It therefore focuses on dwelling units or visiting points as secondary sampling units, which have been defined as ‘separate (non-vacant) residential stands, addresses, structures, flats, homesteads, etc.’

As the basis of the 2004 SASAS round of interviewing, a sub-sample of 500 PSUs was drawn from the HSRC’s Master Sample. Three explicit stratification variables were used, namely province, geographic type and majority population group.

Within each stratum, the allocated number of PSUs was drawn using proportional to size probability sampling. In each of these drawn PSUs, two clusters of 7 dwelling units each were drawn. These 14 dwelling units in each drawn PSU were systematically grouped into 2 subsamples of seven, to give the two SASAS samples.

Number of units: Questionnaire 1: 2 497 cases realised from 3 500 addresses; questionnaire 2: 2 483 cases realised from 3 500 addresses; combined : 4980 cases

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

To accommodate the wide variety of topics that was included in the 2004 survey, two questionnaires were administered simultaneously. Apart from the standard set of demographic and background variables, each version of the questionnaire contained a harmonised core module that will remain constant from round to round, with the aim of monitoring change and continuity in a variety of socio-economic and socio-political variables. In addition, a number of themes will be accommodated on a rotational basis. This rotating element of the survey consists of two or more topic-specific modules in each round of interviewing and is directed at measuring a range of policy and academic concerns and issues that require more detailed examination at a specific point in time than the multi-topic core module would permit.

In respect of the two SASAS questionnaires, the questions contained in the core module (demographics and core thematic issues) were asked of all 7 000 respondents, while the remaining rotating modules were asked of a half sample of approximately 3 500 respondents each. The two different versions of the questionnaire were administered concurrently in each of the chosen sampling areas. Fieldworkers were required to complete a paper-based instrument while interviews were conducted face-to-face. Questions for the core module were asked of both samples (3 500 respondents each – 7 000) of which 5 583 were realised.

ISSP Module: The International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) is run by a group of research organisations, each of which undertakes to field annually an agreed module of questions on a chosen topic area. SASAS 2003 represents the formalisation of South Africa's inclusion in the ISSP, the intention being to include the module in one of the SASAS questionnaires in each round of interviewing. Each module is chosen for repetition at intervals to allow comparisons both between countries (membership currently stands at 40) and over time. In 2003, the chosen subject was national identity, and the module was carried in version 2 of the questionnaire (Qs.152-203).

The standard questionnaires dealt with democracy, identity, public services, social values, crime, voting, demographics, families and family authority The rotating modules in the 2004 survey covered: Questionnaire 1: Poverty, environment, democracy (part 2) Questionnaire 2: ISSP module (citizenship), democracy (part 2)

This survey is part of a series of studies designed to assess attitudes about democracy, markets, and civil society in African nations, and to track the evolution of such attitudes in those nations over time. This particular survey was concerned with the attitudes and opinions of the citizens of South Africa. Respondents were asked to rate South African President Mbeki and his administrations' overall performance and to state the most important issue facing the nation. Opinions were gathered on the role of the government in improving the economy, whether corruption existed in local and national government, whether government officials were responsive to problems of the general population, and whether local government officials, the police, the courts, the overall criminal justice system, the South African Defense Force, the media, the Independent Electoral Commission, and the South African Broadcasting Corporation could be trusted. Respondents were polled on their knowledge of government officials, their level of personal involvement in political, governmental, and community affairs, the inclusiveness of the government, and what their reactions would be to executive branch-sponsored government-imposed restrictions or prohibitions on the media, the judicial system, and parliament. Economic questions addressed the past, present, and future of the country's and the respondent's economic condition, whether great income disparities are fair, and whether encouraging people to start small businesses would create more jobs. Societal questions addressed how much trust could be placed in others, whether it is wise to plan ahead, whether everyone should be responsible for themselves and their own success or failure, what characteristics respondents used to identify themselves, whether it was easy to obtain assistance with securing food, water, schooling, and medical services, and by what methods respondents secured food, water, news, information, and medical services. Respondents were also asked whether they had checked with other adults in their household to answer questions. Background variables include age, language spoken most at home, education, current employment status, employment status over the last 12 months, employment history, family financial situation over the last 12 months, monetary support system, whether a close friend or relative had died from AIDS, language used in interview, sex, ethnicity, type of physical disability, if any, type of housing, location of interview (inside, outside, or both), and respondent's attitude during interview.

International debt issues to GDP (%) in South Africa was reported at 27.62 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - International debt issues to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Abstract

South Africa has 230 operating mines located in diverse natural and social settings. Over 6 million people live in urban and rural mining host communities who will be significantly affected by mine closure. The national, provincial and local governments need guidance in identifying high-risk areas and relevant policy and programmatic interventions. This dataset includes data collected on mines in South Africa for the development of a quantitative mine closure risk rating system that assesses the likelihood of mine closure, the risk of social impact and the risk of environmental impact of mine closure for every operating mine in the country. The rating system was tested with 10 mines and 19 mining experts. The shape files for maps resulting from the research are also included in the dataset.The data is also available for viewing on the South African Mine Closure Risk and Opportunity Atlas https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f8bbd7f733674b9d99cd320b4f5b98f5/ Data projection: GCS_WGS_1984 The data provides evidence for the research publication Cole, M.J. A Mine Closure Risk Rating System for South Africa. Mining 2024, 4, 58-78. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining4010005

Analysis unit

Institutions

Kind of data

Other

Mode of data collection

Other

South Africa ZA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data was reported at 427.000 Person in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 450.000 Person for 2015. South Africa ZA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data is updated yearly, averaging 423.000 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,783.000 Person in 1990 and a record low of 123.000 Person in 2001. South Africa ZA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Refugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers--people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers--are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of origin generally refers to the nationality or country of citizenship of a claimant.; ; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Statistics Database, Statistical Yearbook and data files, complemented by statistics on Palestinian refugees under the mandate of the UNRWA as published on its website. Data from UNHCR are available online at: www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html.; Sum;

In 1913, South Africa’s Land Act set aside 87% of the country’s land for exclusive use and ownership by white people, helping to divide the nation into a relatively prosperous white heartland and a cluster of increasingly impoverished black reserves on the periphery and within cities (Walker, 2017). More than a century later, South Africa is still struggling to redress this historical injustice and the inequality it continues to foster. In December 2017, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) resolved to move ahead with land expropriation without compensation to speed up its land-reform program, although a multitude of policy details remain hotly contested (Grootes, 2018). The National Assembly has adopted a motion by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) endorsing this approach despite warnings of economic meltdown from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) (Goba, 2018). While the public debate rages on, Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee has been reviewing comments and submissions on the issue and is expected to announce its recommendation in November regarding a possible constitutional amendment (Parliamentary Monitoring Group, 2018). How do average citizens view land reform? Findings from the 2018 Afrobarometer survey show that South Africans want the government to prioritize redistributing land taken during forced removals of Black South Africans half a century ago, followed by agricultural land and vacant land in cities. But the survey also shows majority support for the government’s “willing seller-willing buyer” policy and for the right of farmers to retain ownership of land tenanted by laborers.

Abstract

The Afrobarometer South Africa Survey 2000 was part of Round 1 of the Afrobarometer surveys, and includes data on the attitudes and opinions of the citizens of South Africa. Respondents were asked to rate South African President Mbeki and his administrations' overall performance and to state the most important issue facing the nation. Opinions were gathered on the role of the government in improving the economy, whether corruption existed in local and national government, whether government officials were responsive to problems of the general population, and whether local government officials, the police, the courts, the overall criminal justice system, the South African Defense Force, the media, the Independent Electoral Commission, and the South African Broadcasting Corporation could be trusted. Respondents were polled on their knowledge of government officials, their level of personal involvement in political, governmental, and community affairs, the inclusiveness of the government, and what their reactions would be to executive branch-sponsored government-imposed restrictions or prohibitions on the media, the judicial system, and parliament.

Geographic coverage

The South African Afrobarometer Survey 2000 has national coverage.

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The survey universe is citizens of South Africa 18 years of age or older

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The survey used a multi-stage, stratified, area cluster probability sample

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Response rate

The survey had a response rate of approximately 90 percent

The South Africa Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market size was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.17 % during the forecast's periods. As the South Africa intensifies on methods of expanding energy sources and improving sustainability, the solar photovoltaic (PV) market is recording rapid growth. South Africa is one country that has a great potential for solar power generation, given its favorable condition of high solar irradiance, for this reason, there are many power projects being implemented in order to tackle everyday problems like shortages of power and high electricity tariffs. The government has come up with measures and programs including the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programmed (REIPPPP) to support investment in the solar division. Jasper Solar Power project and De Aar Solar Power Plant provides the understanding of solar PV capacity addition in the nation at a fast pace. Such projects are dual-effective because they help decrease the extent of fossil fuel consumption besides boosting employment opportunities and economic growth of a particular region. Other factors which help the market to grow are technological development and decrease in the prices of the solar PV systems as this led to increase in use of solar energy. Nonetheless, key challenges specific to the South Africa solar PV market embrace the following: regulatory and policy risks, integration challenges with the grid and funding constraints. They pointed at the rather fluctuating nature of solar energy and noted that to make it more effective more should be done in terms of storage and the overall grid system. Nonetheless, South Africa’s dedication to RE and continuous investments will put an upward trend on the solar PV market, thereby, improving energy security/ sustainability in the nation. Recent developments include: April 2024: Africa Data Centres, a South African data-center services provider, announced starting work on a 12-megawatt solar PV project in the Free State province of South Africa in collaboration with DPA Southern Africa, a joint company of French utility EDF., April 2024: Scatec announced the launch of the Kenhardt Solar PV and BESS project, totaling 540 MW, located in South Africa's Northern Cape Province. The project was awarded to Scatec by South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy under the technology-agnostic MIP program.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Declining solar PV modules4.; Supportive Government Policies. Potential restraints include: 4., Increasing Competition from Alternative Renewable Energy Sources. Notable trends are: The Residential Segment Expected to Witness Significant Growth.

IntroductionAligned to Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which recognizes water to be a basic human right, the democratic government from 1994 adopted policies, legislation and programmes that encourage universal access to basic water services. Although some progress has been made in urban areas concerning access to potable water supply, South Africa still faces serious problems in providing basic water services in rural areas. This study aims to understand sources of drinking water, how water is accessed by local communities, and determine the barriers associated with access to potable water and management in the rural villages of Madiba and Enqabeni.Data collectionTo fulfil the aim of this study, semi-structured interviews, interviewer-administered questionnaires, and field observations were employed as data collection tools. Data obtained from interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis, while the questionnaires were assessed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results and DiscussionThe study found that the majority of people still rely on untreated water from open water bodies. The study also identified corruption, and infrastructural and institutional problems as barriers affecting water service delivery to communities. These institutional problems mean that water resource management and access are unfair, inequitable and unjust, and constitute water injustice. The basic human right of access to water by communities is thereby violated and this has devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of community members. Despite democracy, the legacy of apartheid's unequal water policy is still influencing water services and South Africa remains far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Bonds and Notes for All Issuers, Residence of Issuer in South Africa (DISCONTINUED) (IBANRINIZA) from Q1 1971 to Q2 2015 about issues, notes, South Africa, bonds, residents, and Net.

Abstract

The Afrobarometer South Africa Survey 2004 is from Round 2.5 of the Afrobarometer Surveys. The study collected data on the attitudes and opinions of the citizens of South Africa. Respondents were asked to rate South African President Mbeki and his administrations' overall performance and to state the most important issue facing the nation. Opinions were gathered on the role of the government in improving the economy, whether corruption existed in local and national government, whether government officials were responsive to problems of the general population, and whether local government officials, the police, the courts, the overall criminal justice system, the South African Defense Force, the media, the Independent Electoral Commission, and the South African Broadcasting Corporation could be trusted. Respondents were polled on their knowledge of government officials, their level of personal involvement in political, governmental, and community affairs, the inclusiveness of the government, and what their reactions would be to executive branch-sponsored government-imposed restrictions or prohibitions on the media, the judicial system, and parliament.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the Afrobarometer South Africa Survey 2004 was national coverage

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The survey universe is citizens of South Africa 18 years of age or older

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

There was one questionnaire for the Afrobarometer South Africa Survey 2004, which covered the following topics:

Economic questions addressed the past, present, and future of the country's and the respondent's economic condition, whether great income disparities are fair, and whether encouraging people to start small businesses would create more jobs.

Societal questions addressed how much trust could be placed in others, whether it is wise to plan ahead, whether everyone should be responsible for themselves and their own success or failure, what characteristics respondents used to identify themselves, whether it was easy to obtain assistance with securing food, water, schooling, and medical services, and by what methods respondents secured food, water, news, information, and medical services.

Background variables include age, home language, education, current employment status, employment history, family financial situation over the last 12 months, monetary support system, whether a close friend or relative had died from AIDS, language used in interview, sex, ethnicity, type of physical disability, if any, type of housing, location of interview and respondent's attitude during interview.

The primary objective of SASAS is to design, develop and implement a conceptually and methodologically robust study of changing social attitudes and values in South Africa to be able to carefully and consistently monitor and explain changes in attitudes amongst various socio-demographic groupings. The SASAS explores a wide range of value changes, including the distribution and shape of racial attitudes and aspirations, attitudes towards democratic and constitutional issues, and the redistribution of resources and power. Moreover, there is also an explicit interest in mapping changing attitudes towards some of the moral issues that confront and are fiercely debated in South Africa, such as gender issues, AIDS, crime and punishment, governance, and service delivery. The SASAS is intended to provide a unique long-term account of the social fabric of modern South Africa, and of how its changing political and institutional structures interact over time with changing social attitudes and values.