Key findings: Personal services industry 2023: Report 90-01-01 (2023)

Income

The total income for the personal services industry in 2023 was R687,9 billion. The total income represents an increase of 12,5% per annum compared with the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2018 (R381,2 billion). Comparing 2018 and 2023, large increases were reported for ‘recreational, cultural and sporting activities’ (+R180,3 billion), ‘health and social work’ (+R77,5 billion), and ‘education services’ (+R36,2 billion).

Between 2008 and 2023, ‘recreational, cultural and sporting activities’ gained the biggest percentage share of income (+11,3 percentage points) (from a percentage contribution of 25,4% in 2008 to 36,7% in 2023). ‘Health and social work’ lost the biggest percentage share (-8,8 percentage points) over the same period (from 43,8% in 2008 to 35,0% in 2023).

Revisions: revisions were made to Report No. 90-01-01 (2018) results due to new information obtained after the publication.

Profit margin

The profit margin for the personal services industry in 2023 was 6,5%. ‘Health and social work’ had the highest profit margin at 10,7%, followed by ‘sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities’ at 5,3% and ‘other service activities’ at 4,3%.

Between 2008 and 2023, the personal services industry recorded the highest profit margin of 11,0% in 2018. The highest profit margin by type of activity was for ‘health and social work’ at 13,6% in 2008.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the personal services industry as at the end of June 2023 was 565 709. This represents an increase of 2,5% per annum compared with the employment recorded in 2018 (499 170 persons). Comparing 2018 and 2023, the largest employment increases were reported for ‘education services’ (+31 335) and ‘health and social work’ (+30 274).

Formal employment in the personal services industry increased from 485 140 in 2008 to 565 709 in 2023 (a gain of 80 569 jobs). The biggest gains in employment since 2008 were in ‘education services’ (+80 219) and ‘health and social work’ (+23 035). The biggest loss in employment during the same period was in ‘other service activities’ (-21 491 jobs).

Average salaries and wages

The average salaries and wages in the personal services industry in 2023 was R320 184. The type of activity with the highest average salaries and wages in 2023 was ‘education services’ (R392 480), followed by ‘activities of membership organisations’ (R371 151) and ‘health and social work’ (R321 663). The type of activity with the lowest average salaries and wages in 2023 was ‘other services activities’ (R113 386).

The total average salaries and wages in the personal services industry increased from R99 050 in 2008 to R320 184 in 2023, an annualised growth rate of 8,1%. The highest annualised growth rate for average salaries and wages between surveys was 10,1% between 2008 and 2018.