According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by

74 000 (-0,7%) in the first quarter of 2025, with employment falling from 10,65 million in December 2024 to 10,58 million by March 2025. According to the survey, 95 000 jobs were lost between March 2024 and March 2025.

During the reporting period, the trade industry experienced the highest job losses, with a reduction of 52 000 jobs. The community services industry followed, losing 17 000 jobs. The mining industry saw a decrease of 4 000 jobs, while the electricity, construction and business services industries each lost 1 000 jobs.

The transport industry reported no changes during the specified period.

The number of full-time jobs dropped by 55 000, declining from 9 503 000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 9 448 000 in first quarter of 2025.

Several industries experienced declines in full-time employment. The trade industry lost 34 000 jobs, while the business services industry lost 11 000 jobs. The community services industry saw a reduction of 10 000 jobs during the quarter. The mining and electricity industries reported drops of 4 000 and 1 000 jobs, respectively.

On the other hand, the construction industry gained 5 000 full-time jobs. The manufacturing and transport industries reported no change during the quarter.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs declined by 40 000 from March 2024 to March 2025.

Part-time employment dropped by 19 000 jobs, decreasing from 1 150 000 in December 2024 to 1 131 000 in March 2025. This reduction was mainly due to the trade industry, which lost 18 000 jobs. The community services sector experienced a decline of 7 000 jobs, while the construction industry saw a loss of 6 000 jobs. The electricity and transport industries remained unchanged during this period.

The business services industry added 10 000 jobs, while the manufacturing industry saw an increase of 2 000 jobs.

Year-on-year, part-time employment declined by 55 000 jobs when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Total gross earnings paid to employees decreased by 4,6%, amounting to R983,1 billion in March 2025, down from R1 031 billion in December 2024. This decline was mainly driven by losses in earnings within the community services industry (-R12,8 billion), manufacturing industry (-R10,8 billion), trade industry (-R10,7 billion), construction industry (-R7,2 billion), transport industry (-R4,1 billion), electricity industry (-R2,1 billion), and mining industry (-R107 million). However, the business services industry reported an increase in gross earnings of R610 million.

Year-on-year, from March 2024 to March 2025, gross earnings paid to employees increased by 2,7% or R26,1 billion.

In the March 2025 quarter, basic salaries and wages saw a significant decrease of 1,1%, totalling R9,4 billion. This reduction brought the overall amount to R881,1 billion. The main contributors to this decline were the community services, trade, construction, manufacturing, business services, transport, and mining industries. However, it is worth noting that the electricity industry bucked this trend and experienced an increase during the same period.

Year-on-year, from March 2024 to March 2025, basic salaries and wages paid to employees increased by 3,9% or R33,1 billion.

In March 2025, bonus payments saw a significant drop of R36,5 billion, or 32,5%, falling from R112,3 billion in December 2024 to R75,8 billion. This quarterly decline was primarily driven by decreases in the community services, manufacturing, trade, construction, transport, and electricity sectors. However, business services saw an increase during the quarter.

On a year-on-year basis, bonus payments decreased by 6,9%, or R5,7 billion, from March 2024 to March 2025.

Overtime payments decreased by 5,1% or R1,4 billion, reaching R26,3 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Despite this overall decline, the community services industry reported an increase in overtime payments during the same period.

From March 2024 to March 2025, overtime payments to employees fell by R1,3 billion, representing a 4,7% decline.

The average monthly earnings (AME) paid to employees declined by 0,1% quarter-on-quarter, decreasing from R28 316 in November 2024 to R28 289 in February 2025.

However, on a year-on-year basis, average monthly earnings grew by 5,6%.

If you missed the link in the article, download the full report here.