Key findings: P0277 - Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES), March 2025
Total employment decreased by 74 000 or -0,7% quarter-on-quarter, from 10 653 000 in December 2024 to 10 579 000 in March 2025. This was due to decreases in the following industries: trade (-52 000 or -2,2%), community services (-17 000 or -0,6%), mining (-4 000 or -0,9%), business services (-1 000 or 0,0%), construction (-1 000 or -0,2%) and electricity
(-1 000 or -1,6%), while transport industry remain unchanged. However, manufacturing increased by 2 000 or 0,2%.
(-1 000 or -1,6%), while transport industry remain unchanged. However, manufacturing increased by 2 000 or 0,2%.
Total employment decreased by 95 000 or -0,9% year-on-year between March 2024 and March 2025.
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. This was due to decreases in the following industries: trade (34 000 or -1,6%), business services (-11 000 or -0,5%), community services (-10 000 or -0,4%), mining (-4 000 or -0,9%) and electricity (-1 000 or -1,6%), while manufacturing and transport remain unchanged. However, the construction industry increased by 5 000 or 0,9%.
Full-time employment decreased by 40 000 or -0,4% year-on-year between March 2024 and 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. This was due to decreases in the following industries: trade (-18 000 or -6,9%), community services (-7 000 or -1,4%), and construction (-6 000 or -8,3%), while electricity and transport remain unchanged. However, there were increases reported by the following industries: business services (10 000 or 4,4%) and manufacturing (2 000 or 2,4%).
Part-time employment decreased by 55 000 or -4,6% year-on-year between March 2024 and 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. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services, manufacturing, trade, construction, transport, electricity and mining. However, business services reported an increase.
Year-on-year gross earnings increased by R26,1 billion or 2,7% between March 2024 and 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. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services, trade, manufacturing, construction, business services, transport and mining. However, electricity reported an increase.
Year-on-year basic salary/wages increased by R33,1 billion or 3,9% between March 2024 and March 2025.
Bonuses paid to employees decreased by R36,5 billion or -32,5% from R112 billion in December 2024 to R75,8 billion in March 2025. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services, manufacturing, trade, construction, transport and electricity, while business services reported an increase.
Year-on-year bonus payments decreased by R5,7 billion or -6,9% between March 2024 and March 2025.
Overtime paid to employees decreased by R1,4 billion or -5,1% from R27,7 billion in December 2024 to R26,3 billion in March 2025. This was due to decreases in the following industries: business services, manufacturing, construction, transport and trade, while electricity remains unchanged. However, community services, showed an increase.
Year-on-year overtime payments decreased by R1,3 billion or -4,7% between March 2024 and March 2025.
Average monthly earnings paid to employees decreased by 0,1% from R28 316 in November 2024 to R28 289 in February 2025. Year-on-year average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 5,6% between February 2024 and February 2025.