After a challenging year of job losses, South Africa’s formal non-agricultural sector showed a glimmer of recovery in the final quarter of 2024. According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q4:2024) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), employment in the sector rose by 12 000 jobs, reaching 10,64 million by December 2024. This   read more »

The 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) underscored South Africa’s pressing labour market challenges, with unemployment remaining a top national concern. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reports an unemployment rate of 31,9% in Q4: 2024, reflecting the continued difficulty many South Africans face in securing jobs. Beyond unemployment, time-related underemployment remains a challenge,   read more »

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q3:2024) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 133 000 in the third quarter of 2024, bringing the level of employment to 10,6 million. According to the survey 294 000 jobs were lost between September 2023 and September 2024.   read more »

Stats SA published 22 releases in November, many of which provide a preliminary snapshot of economic performance in the third quarter (July–September). An overview of the quarter A number of sectors witnessed a rise in economic activity in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2024. Mining, manufacturing, electricity generation, construction   read more »

In a major stride toward addressing employment challenges, South Africa has officially launched its Labour Market Information System (LMIS), a groundbreaking platform aimed at revolutionising how labour data is collected, analysed, and shared. The LMIS, unveiled in September 2024, is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the International Labour   read more »

In South Africa, employment in private households represents a crucial segment of the labour market, making a significant contribution to total employment despite being relatively vulnerable and largely informal. According to data from the Q3: 2024 Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), approximately 1,1 million South Africans are employed in private households, with 75,7% (or 854 000) working   read more »

Stats SA published 23 statistical releases in October, many of which provide fresh data on the state of the economy. The latest monthly indicators Nationally, mining activity increased by a marginal 0,3% year-on-year in August. Manganese ore, platinum group metals and chromium ore were the largest drivers of growth. Nickel and copper also recorded a   read more »

Each province has its own unique economic profile. The latest set of regional gross domestic product (GDP) figures paint a picture of what drives economic activity in each province. The data also shows what each province brings to the economic table of the country. Which industries drive your provincial economy? Gauteng is the nation’s economic   read more »

The latest set of economic indicators paint a preliminary picture of economic performance in the second quarter (April–June). The quarter in a nutshell Several sectors enjoyed positive gains in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the first quarter of 2024. These include manufacturing, electricity generation, construction (buildings reported as completed to larger municipalities), wholesale   read more »

This year’s Women’s Month, marked by the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” serves as a powerful reminder of the strides women have made since the dawn of our democracy. The theme not only highlights the achievements and contributions of women across various sectors but also underscores the ongoing challenges that need   read more »