By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
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 modest 0,1% increase comes despite a notable year-on-year decline of 91 000 jobs since December 2023.
The Q4 data covers the final quarter of 2024, ending December. The QES represents data for South Africa’s formal non-agricultural job market.
The trade industry led the increase, adding 42,000 jobs, with business services following with 22,000 new jobs.
However, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said that not all sectors shared in the gains.
“Community services with a drop of 26,000, construction and manufacturing with 13,000 each, and mining with 3,000. Year-on-year total employment decreased by 91,000 between December 2023 and December 2024.”
Maluleke said that while full-time employment saw a jump due to increases in trade, business services, transport, and electricity, other sectors weren’t as lucky.
“There were decreases reported by the following industries: construction 14,000, community services 12,000, manufacturing 10,000, and mining 3,000. Year-on-year full-time employment decreased by 26,000 between December 2023 and December 2024.”
Part-time employment also experienced a slight uptick over the quarter, increasing by 2,000 jobs from 1.151 million in September 2024 to 1.153 million in December 2024.
However, the year-on-year picture for part-time work was bleak, with South Africa experiencing a sharp decline year over year, with 650,000 fewer jobs compared to the same period in 2023.
“While the latest figures indicate short-term gains in both full-time and part-time employment, the overall labour market continues to face challenges, particularly when compared to the previous year’s performance,” Maluleke added.
Meanwhile over the period, gross earnings paid to employees increased by R59.1 billion or 6.1% from R969.4 billion in September 2024 to R1.03 trillion in December 2024.