According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q3:2023) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by

31 000 in the third quarter of 2023, bringing the level of employment to almost 10,2 million. The survey showed that 256 000 jobs were added between September 2022 and September 2023.

From June 2023 to September 2023, total employment (both full-time and part-time jobs) experienced a growth of 31 000 jobs, equivalent to a 0,3% increase. The total number of employees reached 10 176 000. Notably, the community services sector played a significant role, contributing 42 000 jobs. The trade industry expanded by 4 000 jobs, while the transport and mining industries each added 2 000 jobs.

Some industries witnessed a decline in employment. Both the manufacturing and business services industries saw a reduction of 7 000 jobs each, and the construction industry experienced a decrease of 5 000 jobs. Conversely, the electricity industry remained unchanged, maintaining its existing employment levels.

During the third quarter of 2023, the count of full-time employees saw a modest decline, dropping by 3 000. This resulted in the total full-time workforce decreasing from 8 792 000 in June 2023 to 8 789 000 in September 2023. Business services industry witnessed a loss of 17 000
full-time jobs. The manufacturing industry saw a decrease of 4 000 jobs, and the construction industry also experienced a setback, losing 3 000 full-time jobs.

Numerous industries experienced growth in full-time employment. Community services saw an increase of 16 000 jobs, while both the trade and mining industries added 2 000 full-time jobs each. The electricity industry reported a modest gain of 1 000 full-time jobs. Meanwhile, there was no change in full-time employment within the transport industry during this quarter.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time workers dropped by 76 000 in September 2023 compared to September 2022.

During the third quarter of 2023, part-time employment gained 34 000 jobs, reaching a total of 1 387 000 compared to 1 353 000 in June 2023. This increase was mainly driven by growth in community services (26 000), business services (10 000), trade (2 000), and transport (2 000). However, certain industries experienced a decline in employment, with manufacturing (-3 000), construction (-2 000), and electricity (-1 000) showing decreases.

Comparing September 2022 to September 2023 on a year-on-year basis, part-time employment saw a rise of 332 000 jobs compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
In the quarter ending September 2023, the total gross earnings paid to employees increased by 2,0%, totalling R850,3 billion compared to R833,6 billion in June 2023. This upswing was primarily driven by the growth in earnings within business services (R9,1 billion), community services (R6,7 billion), mining (R2 billion), manufacturing (R595 million), electricity (R359 million), and construction (R66 million). However, the transport and trade industries witnessed a decline in earnings, with decreases of R1,6 billion and R711 million, respectively.

Basic salaries/wages increased by 2% (R15,2 billion) in September 2023 to reach R774,3 billion, primarily driven by growth in community services, business services, mining, manufacturing, transport, trade, construction, and electricity sectors.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the basic salaries/wages paid to employees rose by 6,5% or R51,6 billion from September 2022 to September 2023.

In the third quarter of 2023, bonus payments increased by R1,8 billion (3,7%) to reach R51 billion. Growth was notable in business and community services, while transport, trade, manufacturing, construction, and electricity saw declines.

Year-on-year, bonus payments rose by 9,5% or R4,4 billion from September 2022 to September 2023.

Overtime payments dropped by R408 million (-1,6%) to reach R25 billion in the third quarter of 2023. Declines were observed in trade, manufacturing, community services, electricity, and transport. Conversely, the business services and transport sectors experienced an uptick in overtime payments.

Compared to the same quarter last year, overtime payments paid to employees went up by R2,2 billion (or 9,7%) from September 2022 to September 2023.

There was a 0,9% quarter-on-quarter rise in the average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector, climbing from R25 866 in May 2023 to R26 086 in August 2023.

Year-on-year, the average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector experienced a growth of 4,7%.

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