Category Archives: Work and labour force

Jobs in the non-agricultural sector rise in the second quarter of 2023

Jobs in the non-agricultural sector rise in the second quarter of 2023

The formal non-agricultural sector added 39 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2023, reaching almost 10,1 million jobs. According to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2023) survey released by Stats SA, there was a year-on year net increase of 104 000 jobs. Between March and June 2023, total (full- and part-time) employment rose   read more »


Equality in the job market still eludes women in SA

Equality in the job market still eludes women in SA

South Africa celebrates Women’s Month in August. 9 August commemorates the women’s march of 1956, a protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women, which sought to control rather than empower them. The 2023 theme for Women’s Month, ‘Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment’, calls for the heightening of socio-economic programs and activities across   read more »


Employment drops in Formal Non-Agricultural Sector in Q1 of 2023

Employment drops in Formal Non-Agricultural Sector in Q1 of 2023

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2023) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 21 000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of employment to almost 10 million. The survey showed that 97 000 jobs were lost between March 2022 and March   read more »


Alert: Recruitment Scam Alert

Alert: Recruitment Scam Alert

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has become aware of a site that is fraudulently inviting applications for positions at the organisation. Stats SA uses two platforms for recruitment – the HR Database (https://apps.statssa.gov.za/HRRecruitment/) for short-term contract positions, and the e-Recruitment platform (https://apps.statssa.gov.za/erecruitment/#/browseJobs) for permanent positions. Please do not use any other platform to apply for   read more »


Beyond unemployment – Time-Related Underemployment in the SA labour market

Beyond unemployment – Time-Related Underemployment in the SA labour market

South Africa’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 32,9 %, and is among the highest in the world. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), this is an increase of 0,2 of a percentage point compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. While the unemployment rate may be high,   read more »


SA formal non-agricultural sector jobs rise in fourth quarter of 2022

SA formal non-agricultural sector jobs rise in fourth quarter of 2022

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q4:2022) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 48 000 in the fourth quarter of 2022, bringing the level of employment to almost 10 million. The survey showed that 94 000 jobs were lost between December 2021 and December   read more »


Incidence of long-term unemployment among women is higher than the national average.

Incidence of long-term unemployment among women is higher than the national average.

South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased by 0,2 of a percentage point to 32,7% in Q4:2022 compared to Q3:2022. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2022, there were about 28 thousand more people who were unemployed than in Q3:2022. In the fourth quarter of 2022, South Africa had 7,8   read more »


Third quarter jobs rise in SA formal non-agricultural sector

Third quarter jobs rise in SA formal non-agricultural sector

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q3:2022) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 10 000 in the third quarter of 2022, bringing the level of total employment to approximately 10 million. The survey showed that jobs increased by 31 000 between September 2021 and   read more »


South African GDP grows by 1,6%

South African GDP grows by 1,6%

After contracting by 0,7% in the second quarter of 2022, the economy rallied in the third quarter, expanding by 1,6%.1 The agriculture, finance, transport and manufacturing industries were the main drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. The demand side of the economy was lifted by a rise in exports and government   read more »


SA formal non-agricultural sector employment drops by 1,2% in Q2 of 2022

SA formal non-agricultural sector employment drops by 1,2% in Q2 of 2022

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2022) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 119 000 in the second quarter of 2022, bringing the level of total employment to approximately 9,9 million. The survey showed that jobs increased by 74 000 between June 2021 and   read more »