The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed a significant increase in employment across various sectors in South Africa, marking the first positive shift in the nation’s labour market since pre-COVID-19.
Boost in employment across multiple sectors in South Africa
The working-age population in South Africa grew modestly in the third quarter of 2023, indicating a steady increase in potential labour force participants.
Alongside this, there was a noticeable rise in employment numbers, with the total number of employed persons reaching 16.7 million in the third quarter.
Concurrently, there was a decrease in the number of unemployed persons, contributing to an overall improvement in the labour market.
The formal sector experienced the most significant employment gains, followed by noticeable increases in the agricultural, informal, and private household sectors.
Comparing year-over-year data, there has been a substantial increase in total employment, with several sectors contributing to this positive trend.
While industries like finance, community and social services, and agriculture saw significant employment increases, others like manufacturing and mining experienced declines.
Western Cape leads year-on-year increases in employment
Both the formal and informal sectors witnessed employment growth, with varying contributions from different industries.
The survey observed employment gains in several occupational categories, with notable increases in plant and machine operator roles, as well as sales and services occupations.
Employment increased in most provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo showing substantial gains.
However, the Free State experienced a decline in employment. The Western Cape led in year-on-year employment increases, while the Free State saw a decrease in the same period.
There was a notable increase in the number of employees with permanent contracts, pointing to more stable employment conditions in the country.