Key findings: P0277 - Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES), March 2014

Key findings on employment and earnings for the quarter ended March 2014

The number of employees in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy increased from an estimated 8 498 000 employees in December 2013 to an estimated 8 507 000 employees in March 2014.

The March 2014 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that an estimated 8 507 000 persons were employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy. This reflected a quarterly increase of about 9 000 employees (+0,1%) between December 2013 and March 2014 and an annual increase of 42 000 employees (+0,5%) between March 2013 and March 2014.

Gross earnings decreased between the quarters ended December 2013 and March 2014.

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector during the quarter ended March 2014 amounted to R403 843 million. This reflected a quarterly decrease of R19 354 million (-4,6%) compared with the quarter ended December 2013 and an annual increase of R26 466 million (+7,0%) compared with the quarter ended March 2013.

Key findings regarding average monthly earnings including bonuses and overtime payments

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 1,4% between November 2013 and February 2014.

The March 2014 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that an estimated monthly average of R14 731 was paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector during February 2014. This reflected a quarterly decrease of 1,4% between November 2013 and February 2014 and an annual increase of 5,9% between February 2013 and February 2014.