According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by

80 000 (-0,8%) in the second quarter of 2025, with employment falling from 10,59 million in March 2025 to 10,51 million by June 2025. According to the survey, 229 000 jobs were lost between June 2024 and June 2025.

During the reporting period, the community services industry experienced the highest job losses, with a reduction of 53 000 jobs. The trade industry followed, losing 10 000 jobs. The manufacturing industry saw a decrease of 9 000 jobs, while the construction industry lost 7 000 jobs. The transport and business services industries each lost 2 000 jobs. However, the mining industry reported an increase of 2 000 jobs, while electricity added 1 000 jobs during the specified period.

The number of full-time jobs decreased by 44 000, declining from 9 457 000 in the first quarter of 2025 to 9 413 000 in the second quarter of 2025.

Several industries experienced declines in full-time employment. The community services industry lost 14 000 jobs, while the business services industry lost 9 000 jobs. The manufacturing industry saw a reduction of 8 000 jobs, while construction declined by 7 000 jobs during the quarter. The trade and transport industries reported drops of 6 000 and 2 000 jobs, respectively.

On the other hand, the mining industry gained 2 000 full-time jobs. The electricity industry reported no change during the quarter.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs declined by 55 000 from June 2024 to June 2025.

Part-time employment dropped by 36 000 jobs, decreasing from 1 132 000 in March 2025 to 1 096 000 in June 2025. This reduction was mainly due to the community services industry, which lost 39 000 jobs. The trade sector experienced a decline of 4 000 jobs, while the manufacturing industry saw a loss of 1 000 jobs. The transport and construction industries remained unchanged during this period.

The business services industry added 7 000 jobs, while the electricity industry saw an increase of 1 000 jobs.

Year-on-year, part-time employment declined by 174 000 jobs when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Gross earnings paid to employees saw a modest 0,2% increase in the second quarter of 2025, reaching R986,8 billion in June, up from R984,7 billion in March. The growth was largely attributable to the community services, trade, and construction industries. In contrast, the business services sector experienced a substantial decrease of R14,1 billion, which tempered the overall growth.

Gross earnings for employees grew 3,4% year-on-year, an increase of R32,8 billion from June 2024 to June 2025.

In the June 2025 quarter, basic salaries and wages rose by 2,5% (R21,7 billion) to reach R902,8 billion. This growth was evident across all major industries, including community services, business services, and trade.

Basic salaries and wages rose by R31,3 billion year-on-year, an increase of 3,6% from June 2024 to June 2025.

Bonus payments saw a significant quarterly drop of 25,4% (R19,3 billion) in the quarter ending in June 2025. Total bonuses fell from R75,8 billion in March to R56,6 billion in June 2025. This decline was largely driven by the business services, manufacturing, trade, and community services sectors. In contrast, the transport, construction, and electricity industries all recorded an increase in bonus payments over the same period.

Bonus payments increased by 5,1% (R2,8 billion) year-on-year from June 2024 to June 2025.

Overtime payments decreased by 1% or R266 million, reaching R27,4 billion in the second quarter of 2025. Despite this overall decline, the trade, construction, and electricity industries reported an increase in overtime payments during the same period.

From June 2024 to June 2025, overtime payments to employees dropped by R1,3 billion, a decrease of 4,5%.

The average monthly earnings (AME) paid to employees grew by 3,4% quarter-on-quarter, rising from R28 322 in February 2025 to R28 290 in May 2025.

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

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