IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The quarter-on-quarter growth rate in employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector was 0,3% in the fourth quarter of 2008, down from 0,8% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The December 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy increased by about 23 000 persons (or +0,3%) from September 2008 (an estimated 8 490 000 employees) to December 2008 (an estimated 8 513 000 employees).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended September 2008 and December 2008.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended December 2008 (October 2008 to December 2008) amounted to R273 341 million. This reflects a quarterly increase of R19 377 million (or +7,6%) compared with the quarter ended September 2008 (July 2008 to September 2008).

The year-on-year growth rate in employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector was 1,2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, down from 1,8% in the third quarter of 2008.

The December 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey shows that an estimated 8 513 000 people were employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy. This reflected an annual increase of about 103 000 employees (or +1,2%) compared with December 2007 (an estimated 8 410 000 employees).

The decline in the growth rate from 1,8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2008 to 1,2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2008 was the sixth consecutive decline in the annual growth rate (Table 1.1).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended December 2007 and December 2008.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended December 2008 (October 2008 to December 2008) amounted to R273 341 million. This reflects an annual increase of R31 772 million (or +13,2%) compared with the quarter ended December 2007 (October 2007 to December 2007 ).

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector decreased between August 2008 and November 2008.

The December 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected a quarterly decrease of 0,1% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between August 2008 (an estimated R9 520) and November 2008 (an estimated R9 509).  

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between November 2007 and November 2008.

The December 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected an annual increase of 8,6% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between November 2007 (an estimated R8 752) and November 2008 (an estimated R9 509).