Employment in SA’s formal non-agricultural sector edged up in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) released by Statistics South Africa. The survey shows a gain of 29 000 jobs (0,3%), with employment rising from 10,52 million in June 2025 to 10,55 million in September 2025. However, year-on-year figures paint a different picture: 79 000 jobs were lost between September 2024 and September 2025

The community services industry recorded the highest job gains during the reporting period, adding 39 000 jobs. Modest growth also occurred in trade (6 000 jobs) and mining (5 000 jobs). These gains were offset by losses in business services (12 000 jobs), manufacturing (5 000 jobs), and construction (4 000 jobs). The transport and electricity industries saw no change.

Full-time employment dropped from 9 426 000 in June 2025 to 9 405 000 in September 2025, a net loss of 21 000 jobs. Most major industries saw declines, notably business services (down 18 000), manufacturing (down 4 000), community services (down 3 000), and trade (down 2 000). The transport and electricity industries reported no change in employment figures.

The mining industry added 5 000 full-time jobs, and the construction sector gained 1 000 jobs during the quarter.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs declined by 72 000 from September 2024 to September 2025.

Part-time employment increased by 50 000 jobs, rising from 1 094 000 in June 2025 to 1 144 000 in September 2025. This increase was mainly due to the community services industry, which gained 42 000 jobs. The trade sector added 8 000 jobs, while the business services industry increased by 6 000 jobs. The transport and electricity industries remained unchanged during this period.

The construction sector saw a reduction of 5 000 jobs, while the manufacturing industry experienced a 1 000-job decline.

Year-on-year, part-time employment declined by 7 000 jobs when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by 1,1% in the third quarter of 2025, reaching

R1 000,7 billion in September 2025, up from R990,0 billion in June 2025. The growth was largely attributable to the business services, community services, mining, manufacturing, construction, and electricity industries. In contrast, the transport sector experienced a substantial decrease of R1,2 billion, while trade saw a decline of R44 million.

Gross earnings for employees grew 3,2% year-on-year, an increase of R31,2 billion from September 2024 to September 2025.

Basic salaries and wages increased by R7,8 billion (0,9%) to R911,2 billion in the third quarter of 2025. This overall growth was driven by increases in trade, community services, mining, manufacturing, and other major industries; however, the business services sector was the sole exception, experiencing a R745 million decrease.

Basic salaries and wages rose by R31 billion year-on-year, an increase of 3,5% from September 2024 to September 2025.

Bonus payments increased by R6,2 billion (10,9%) to a total of R62,9 billion in the September 2025 quarter, up from R56,7 billion in June 2025. This jump was largely concentrated in the business services and community services sectors, offsetting declines in all other industries during that period.

Bonus payments increased by 3,7% (R2,2 billion) year-on-year from September 2024 to September 2025.

Overtime payments saw an 11,1% reduction (R3,3 billion) in September 2025, reaching a total of R26,6 billion. This decrease was universal, with every industry reporting a decline; the business services sector was the primary contributor to this fall.

From September 2024 to September 2025, overtime payments to employees dropped by
R2,0 billion, a decrease of 6,9%.

The average monthly earnings (AME) paid to employees grew by 0,3% quarter-on-quarter, rising from R29 402 in May 2025 to R29 490 in August 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, average monthly earnings grew by 4,3%.

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