Statistics South Africa today released the Quarterly Employment Statistics report, according to the report total employment decreased by 194 000 or -1,8% quarter-on-quarter, from
10 899 000 in September 2023 to 10 705 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services (-214 000 or -6,8%), construction (-19 000 or -3,1%), business services (-12 000 or -0,5%), manufacturing (-7 000 or -0,5%), and mining (-1 000 or -0,2%). However, there were increases in the following industries: trade
(56 000 or 2,4%), transport (2 000 or 0,4%) and electricity (1 000 or 1,6%).

 Total employment increased by 98 000 or 0,9% year-on-year between December 2022 and December 2023.

 Full-time employment decreased by 5 000 or -0,1% quarter-on-quarter, from 9 498 000 in September 2023 to 9 493 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: construction (-13 000 or -2,4%), manufacturing (-12 000 or -1,0%), community services (-11 000 or -0,5%), business services (-3 000 or -0,1%), and mining (-1 000 or -0,2%). However, there were increases in the following industries: trade (31 000 or 1,5%), transport (3 000 or 0,7%), and electricity (1 000 or 1,6%). 

 Full-time employment increased by 12 000 or 0,1% year-on-year between December 2022 and December 2023.

 Part-time employment decreased by 189 000 or -13,5% quarter-on-quarter, from 1 401 000 in September 2023 to 1 212 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services (-203 000 or -27,2%), business services (-9 000 or -3,8%), construction (-6 000 or -7,8%), transport (-1 000 or 5,3%). Electricity industry reported no change. However, there were increases in the following industries: trade (25 000 or 10,4%), and manufacturing (5 000 or 6%).

 Part-time employment increased by 86 000 or 7,6% year-on-year between December 2022 and December 2023.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by R54,5 billion or 5,8% from R941,5 billion in September 2023 to R996 billion in December 2023. This was due to increases in all industries; trade (R15,1 billion), manufacturing (R12,6 billion), construction (R7,3 billion), business services (R7,1 billion), community services (R5,8 billion), transport (R4,7 billion), electricity (R1,8 billion) and mining (R216 million).

Gross earnings increased by R42 billion or 4,4% year-on-year between December 2022 and December 2023.