Key findings: P0277 - Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES), September 2009

Employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector decreased between the quarters ended June 2009 and September 2009.

The September 2009 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy decreased by about 79 000 persons (or -1,0%) from June 2009 (an estimated 8 241 000 employees) to September 2009 (an estimated 8 162 000 employees).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended June 2009 and September 2009.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2009 (July 2009 to September 2009) amounted to R263 143 million. This reflects a quarterly increase of R4 316 million (or +1,7%) compared with the quarter ended June 2009 (April 2009 to June 2009).

Employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector decreased between the quarters ended September 2008 and September 2009.

The September 2009 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey shows that an estimated 8 162 000 people were employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy. This reflected an annual decrease of about 328 000 employees (or -3,9%) compared with September 2008 (an estimated 8 490 000 employees).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended September 2008 and September 2009.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2009 (July 2009 to September 2009) amounted to R263 143 million. This reflects an annual increase of R9 179 million (or +3,6%) compared with the quarter ended September 2008 (July 2008 to September 2008).

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between May 2009 and August 2009.

The September 2009 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected a quarterly increase of 5,6% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between May 2009 (an estimated R9 724) and August 2009 (an estimated R10 267).  

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between August 2008 and August 2009.

The September 2009 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected an annual increase of 7,8% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between August 2008 (an estimated R9 520) and August 2009 (an estimated R10 267).