Statistics South Africa has released the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES), indicating a modest rise in total employment across the country as 2024 drew to a close.

The data, covering the period from September to December 2024, reflects an increase of 12 000 jobs or 0.1%, bringing total employment figures to 10 640,000 from 10 628 000.

This slight uptick, primarily driven by positive trends in specific sectors, contrasts with significant challenges faced by others.

It is also revealed that the trade industry added 42 000 jobs (1.8%), business services 22 000 jobs (0.9%), transport 2 000 jobs (0.4%), and electricity 1 000 jobs (1.6%), contributing to the overall growth.

However, it is explained that this was overshadowed by significant job losses in other areas, including community services (-26,000 or -0.9%), manufacturing (-13,000 or -1.0%), construction (-13,000 or -2.1%), and mining (-3,000 or -0.6%).

Despite the quarterly gain, year-on-year comparisons reveal a more concerning picture. Total employment fell by 91 000 or 0.8% from December 2023 to December 2024, indicating ongoing economic challenges. Full-time employment also saw improvements on a quarterly basis, rising by 10 000 or 0.1% from September to December, now at 9 487,000. Growth in this sector was similarly attributed to the trade (24 000 jobs), business services (21 000 jobs), transport (3 000 jobs), and electricity (1 000 jobs) sectors.

However, full-time employment experienced a decrease of 26 000 or 0.3% year-on-year. The construction sector faced the most significant hurdles, with job cuts of 14 000 (-2.6%), alongside losses in community services (-12 000 or -0.5%), manufacturing (-10 000 or -0.8%), and mining (-3000 or -0.6%).

Turning to part-time employment, a modest increase of 2 000 or 0.2% was recorded from September 2024 to December 2024, raising the total to 1 153 000. Contributing sectors included trade (18 000 jobs or 7.4%), construction (1 000 jobs or 1.4%), and business services (1 000 jobs or 0.4%). Despite these gains, the year-on-year picture for part-time work was bleak, showcasing a decrease of 65 000 or 5.3% compared to December 2023.

The statistics further reveal that a significant aspect of the employment report is the rise in gross earnings, which increased by R59.1 billion or 6.1%, reaching R1 028.5 billion in December 2024 from R969.4 billion three months prior. Industries contributing positively to earnings included trade, manufacturing, community services, business services, construction, transport, and electricity, while the mining sector saw a downturn.

Year-on-year gross earnings also showed an increase of R35.5 billion or 3.6% between December 2023 and December 2024, reflecting that while job growth may be stalling, overall payroll earnings are making headway.

The trends highlighted in this report present a mixed narrative for South Africa's labor market. While certain industries thrive and contribute positively to employment numbers and earnings, others continue to grapple with significant declines, reflecting a challenging economic landscape as the nation looks towards 2025.

Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA also spoke about the stats highlighting that the South African economy needs to absorb a decent chunk of unemployed citizens to reach its economic projections for growth and more jobs.

“Any form of job creation is crucial to our country and its future.”

“Employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 12 000, or 0,1%, from September 2024 to December 2024, while employment decreased by 91 000 year-on-year between December 2023 and December 2024. Full-time employment fell by 26 000, while part-time employment saw a sharper decline of 65%. Trade, business services, transport, and electricity industries influenced the increase in Q4 last year. We must work together to ensure that high unemployment rates are a thing of the past.”

Saturday Star