The September 2019 QES survey showed an estimated 10 142 000 employees in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy. This reflected a net quarterly decrease of 28 000 employees from 10 170 000 employees in June 2019.

This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: construction (-12 000 or -2,0%), manufacturing (-12 000 or -1,0%), community services (-11 000 or -0,4%), business services
(-9 000 or -0,4%) and transport (-1 000 or -0,2%). The mining and quarrying, and electricity industries remained unchanged. However, trade industry increased by 17 000 or 0,8%.

Total employment increased by 78 000 or 0,8% year-on-year between September 2018 and September 2019.

Full-time employment decreased by 11 000 or -0,1% quarter-on-quarter, from 9 092 000 in June 2019 to 9 081 000 in September 2019. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: construction (-14 000 or -2,7%), manufacturing (-8 000 or -0,7%) and transport (-4 000 or -0,9%). The mining and quarrying, and electricity industries remained unchanged. However, there were increases in the following industries: community services (8 000 or 0,3%), trade (6 000 or 0,3%) and business services (1 000 or 0,0%).

Full-time employment increased by 45 000 or 0,5% year-on-year between September 2018 and September 2019.

Part-time employment decreased by 17 000 or -1,6% quarter-on-quarter, from 1 078 000 in June 2019 to 1 061 000 in September 2019. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: community services (-19 000 or -4,5%), business services (-10 000 or -4,1%) and manufacturing (-4 000 or -5,0%). The electricity industry remained unchanged. However, there were increases in the following industries: trade (11 000 or 5,0%), transport (3 000 or 18,8%) and construction (2 000 or 2,1%).

Part-time employment increased by 33 000 or 3,2% year-on-year between September 2018 and September 2019.

Year-on-year, total gross earnings increased by R26 billion or (3,8%).