According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q1:2026) survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by
80 000 (0,8%) in the first quarter of 2026, falling from 10,548 million in December 2025 to 10,468 million by March 2026. Overall, 121 000 jobs were lost between March 2025 and March 2026.

Community services led the decrease, losing 53 000 jobs, followed by trade with 40 000 jobs. Moderate job losses were recorded in transport (3 000) and electricity (1 000). However, there were increases in several sectors. Manufacturing and business services each gained 7 000 jobs. Employment also increased in mining (2 000), and construction (1 000).

Full‑time employment decreased in the first quarter of 2026, declining from 9,433 million in December 2025 to 9,409 million in March 2026, an overall loss of 24 000 jobs. The decline in full time employment was mainly driven by the trade industry, which recorded a loss of 27 000 jobs, followed by community services with 3 000 jobs, transport with 2 000 jobs, and construction and manufacturing with 1 000 jobs each.

Conversely, some industries recorded gains. The business services sector added 8 000 full‑time jobs, while the mining industry recorded 2 000 jobs. The electricity industry remained unchanged during the quarter.

Year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs declined by 48 000 from March 2025 to March 2026.

Part‑time employment also declined in the first quarter of 2026, falling from 1,115 million in December 2025 to 1,059 million in March 2026, an overall loss of 56 000 jobs. The community services industry was the primary driver of this decline, losing 50 000 part‑time jobs; the trade industry lost a further 13 000. The transport, electricity, and business services industries lost 1 000 jobs each over the period.

In contrast, increases were observed in two industries. The manufacturing industry added 8 000 part‑time jobs, while the construction industry added 2 000 jobs.

Year-on-year, part-time employment declined by 73 000 jobs compared with the same quarter in 2025.

Gross earnings paid to employees fell by R43,4 billion (-4,0%) in the first quarter of 2026, decreasing from R1,08 trillion in December 2025 to R1,04 trillion in March 2026. Most major industries contributed to the decline, notably manufacturing, community services, trade, construction, business services, electricity, and transport. The mining industry reported an increase in gross earnings.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by 5,2% year-on-year, amounting to R51,4 billion from March 2025 to March 2026.

Basic salaries and wages decreased by 0,7% in the first quarter of 2026, declining by R6,9 billion to reach R921,5 billion, down from R928,5 billion in December 2025. The decrease was driven largely by declines in manufacturing, construction, business services, and community services. Additional losses were reported in the transport and trade industries. Increases were observed in the mining and electricity industries.

Basic salaries and wages increased by R40,4 billion year‑on‑year, representing a 4,6% rise between March 2025 and March 2026.

Bonus payments fell sharply in the first quarter of 2026, decreasing by R35,8 billion (-29,5%) to reach R85,3 billion. This decline was observed across all industries, notably community services, trade, manufacturing, construction, electricity, and transport. However, business services reported an increase in the quarter.

Bonus payments increased by 12,4%, equivalent to R9,4 billion, on a year‑on‑year basis from March 2025 to March 2026.

Overtime payments declined in the March 2026 quarter, declining by 2,3% (R700 million) to reach a total of R29,2 billion. The decrease was primarily driven by manufacturing and construction. Moderate declines were reported in the community services, electricity and business services industries.

Trade and transport recorded moderate growth.

Overtime payments increased by R1,5 billion year‑on‑year, representing a 5,5% rise between March 2025 and March 2026.

The average monthly earnings (AME) paid to employees increased, rising by 0,9% quarter‑on‑quarter from R29 738 in November 2025 to R29 997 in February 2026.

On a year-on-year basis, average monthly earnings increased by 5,9%.

The first quarter of 2026 was marked by a contraction in employment and a concurrent decline in gross earnings, primarily attributable to decreases in bonus payments, salaries, and overtime payments.

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