According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q4:2025) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by
18 000 (0,2%) in the fourth quarter of 2025, with employment rising from 10,533 million in September 2025 to 10,551 million by December 2025. According to the survey, 102 000 jobs were lost between December 2024 and December 2025.

Trade led the gains, adding 37 000 jobs and emerging as the key driver of growth. Business services also expanded, contributing a further 17 000 jobs. However, these gains were offset by declines in several sectors. Construction experienced the largest drop, losing 13 000 jobs, followed by manufacturing, which shed 11 000. Employment also contracted in community services (-5 000), transport (-4 000), and mining (-3 000). The electricity industry remained stable, recording no change over the quarter.

Full‑time employment increased modestly in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising from 9,420 million in September 2025 to 9,434 million in December 2025, an overall gain of 14 000 jobs. Growth in full‑time jobs was primarily driven by the trade industry, which recorded an increase of 23 000 jobs, followed by business services with 7 000, and community services with 4 000 additional jobs.

Conversely, several industries experienced declines over the period. The construction sector reported the largest reduction, shedding 8 000 full‑time jobs, while the transport industry recorded a decrease of 5 000. The manufacturing and mining industries contracted by 4 000 and 3 000 jobs respectively. The electricity sector remained unchanged for the quarter, reporting no movement in full‑time employment.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs declined by 69 000 from December 2024 to December 2025.

Part‑time employment recorded a modest increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising from 1,113 million in September 2025 to 1,117 million in December 2025, an overall gain of 4 000 jobs. The trade industry was the primary driver of this growth, adding 14 000 part‑time jobs, while business services contributed a further 10 000. The transport industry also saw a small uptick of 1 000 jobs, and the electricity sector remained unchanged over the period.

In contrast, declines were observed in several industries. Community services experienced the largest reduction, shedding 9 000 part‑time jobs. The manufacturing and construction industries also contracted, losing 7 000 and 5 000 jobs respectively.

Year-on-year, part-time employment declined by 33 000 jobs when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Gross earnings paid to employees rose by R74,7 billion (7,4%) in the fourth quarter of 2025, increasing from R1,0 trillion in September 2025 to R1,08 trillion in December 2025. This growth was supported across most major industries, with notable contributions from community services, business services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, electricity, and mining.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by 4,8% year-on-year, amounting to R49,6 billion from December 2024 to December 2025.

Basic salaries and wages increased by 1,8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising by R16,6 billion to reach R930,8 billion, up from R914,3 billion in September 2025. The increase was driven largely by higher salary payments in the community services, business services, and trade sectors. Manufacturing also recorded growth, followed by additional gains in the construction and transport industries. More moderate increases were observed in the mining and electricity sectors.

Basic salaries and wages increased by R40,4 billion year‑on‑year, representing a 4,5% rise between December 2024 and December 2025.

Bonus payments rose sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025, increasing by R58,1 billion (92,5%) to reach R120,9 billion. This substantial growth was supported by higher bonus payouts across several key industries, notably business services, trade, community services, manufacturing, construction, transport, and electricity.

Bonus payments increased by 7,6%, equivalent to R8,6 billion, on a year‑on‑year basis from December 2024 to December 2025.

Overtime payments increased marginally in December 2025, rising by 0,1% (R41 million) to reach a total of R28,4 billion. The increase was primarily driven by the community services industry, with construction, manufacturing, and trade also recording moderate gains. In contrast, overtime payments declined in the business services, electricity, and transport industries.

Overtime payments increased by R700 million year‑on‑year, representing a 2,5% rise between December 2024 and December 2025.

The average monthly earnings (AME) paid to employees increased slightly, rising by 0,1% quarter‑on‑quarter from R29 650 in August 2025 to R29 690 in November 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, average monthly earnings increased by 4,9%.

Overall, the fourth quarter of 2025 was characterised by modest employment growth alongside strong increases in earnings, driven by higher salaries and wages, and seasonal bonus payments.

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