The unemployment rate at September 2006 was 25.5%, the lowest it has been for six years. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: Labour force statistics in South Africa

In 2001 there were 554,000 people employed in the mining industry. In 2006 the figure was 398,000, a fall of 28% over the 5 year period. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: Labour force statistics in South Africa

At September 2006, there were 3.2 million discouraged work-seekers in South Africa, defined as those who want to work and are available to work but who say that they are not taking active steps to find employment. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: Labour force statistics in South Africa

The province with the lowest unemployement rate in 2006 (and in each of the past six years) was the Western Cape, at 15%. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: Labour force statistics in South Africa

According to AMPS2006A, there are 6.2 million MTN subscribers in South Africa. According to MTN, there are nearly double that number (AMPS2006A, MTN Annual Report 2005 and press release 29 March 2007)

This week’s theme: Cellphones in South Africa

The average monthly cellphone bill is about R178 for men, almost 46% higher than that of women. (AMPS2006A)

This week’s theme: Cellphones in South Africa

The average earnings of a Cell C subscriber is about R3,200 per month, higher than those of MTN and Vodacom (AMPS2006A)

This week’s theme: Cellphones in South Africa

Almost two thirds of cellphone users use a Nokia handset, with the proportion increasing with the age of the user. (AMPS2006A)

This week’s theme: Cellphones in South Africa