MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                             13 February 2018

Quarterly Labour Force Survey – QLFS Q4:2017

The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2017 released by Statistics South Africa today, indicate a decrease of 351 000 in the labour force in Q4:2017 with employment and unemployment decreasing by 21 000 and 330 000 respectively. This resulted in a decline in the unemployment rate by 1,0 percentage point to 26,7%. The absorption rate declined by 0,2 of a percentage point to 43,1% and the labour force participation declined by 1,1 percentage points to 58,8% quarter-to-quarter.

Formal sector employment declined by 135 000 while the informal sector employment increased by 119 000 compared to Q3: 2017. Declines in Finance (91 000), Trade (45 000), private households (43 000), and Mining industries (35 000) contributed mostly to the net loss in employment. However, employment was created in Community, social and personal services (75 000), Manufacturing (42 000), Agriculture (39 000), Construction (26 000) and Transport (13 000) in the same period. Compared to the Q4:2016, employment increased by 102 000 or 0,6 per cent while unemployment grew by 99 000 or 1,7 per cent in Q4:2017.

The official unemployment rate decreased by 1,0 percentage point in Q4: 2017 compared to Q3: 2017. The largest decline in the unemployment rate was recorded in Northern Cape (2,8 percentage points), Western Cape (2,4 percentage points) and North West (2,3 percentage points). Between Q3: 2017 and Q4: 2017, the number of discouraged work-seekers grew by 103 000 (or 4,2 per cent) to 2,5 million persons.

A decline in unemployment rate was observed across all age groups.  Compared to adults the unemployment rate was highest among the youth irrespective of educational level. Approximately 3,1 million (29,7%) of the 10,3 million young persons (15-24 years) were not in employment, education or training.

The expanded unemployment rate, which relaxes the requirement of job search to be classified as unemployed, declined by 0,5 of a percentage point from 36,8% to 36,3% at the national level between the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 2017.

Issued by Statistics South Africa

For technical enquiries, contact:

Ms Gwen Lehloenya

Acting Deputy Director-General: Population and Social Statistics

Tel: 012 310 9324

Email: GwenL@statssa.gov.za

Ms Malerato Mosiane

Acting Chief Director: Labour Statistics

Tel:  012 310 8688

Email: MaleratoM@statssa.gov.za

For media enquires contact:

Ms Lesedi Dibakwane

Tel: 012 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za