Total employment declines by 74,000 in the first quarter
The total number of employed individuals in South Africa decreased by 74,000, or 0.7%, in the first quarter of 2025.
Statistics South Africa released the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics on Tuesday.
Total employment decreased from 10,653,000 in December 2024 to 10,579,000 in March 2025.
The industries that experienced a decline include trade, with 52,000; community services, with 17,000; mining, with 4,000; and business services, with 1,000.
The construction and electricity sectors also experienced a decline of 1,000 jobs, while the transport industry remained unchanged.
READ: StatsSA records drop in business liquidations in March
However, manufacturing increased by 2,000, or 0.2%.
Full-time employment decreased by 55,000, or -0.6%, quarter-on-quarter, from 9,503,000 in December 2024 to 9,448,000 in March 2025.
Part-time employment decreased by 19,000, or -1.7%, quarter-on-quarter, from 1,150,000 in December 2024 to 1,131,000 in March 2025.
"Gross earnings paid to employees decreased by R47.3 billion, or 4.6%, from R1.03 trillion in December 2024 to R983.1 billion in March 2025.
"Basic salary/wages paid to employees decreased by R9.4 billion, or 1.1%, from R890 billion in December 2024 to R881 billion in March 2025," a statement read.
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
MORE ON ECR
