Key findings: P0277 - Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES), March 2012

Employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended December 2011 and March 2012.

The March 2012 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey shows that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy increased by about 5 000 persons (+0,1%) from
December 2011 (an estimated 8 379 000 employees) to March 2012 (an estimated 8 384 000 employees).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased between the quarters ended December 2011 and March 2012.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended March 2012 (January 2012 to March 2012) amounted to R347 739 million. This reflects a quarterly decrease of R17 634 million (-4,8%) compared with the quarter ended December 2011 (October 2011 to December 2011).

Employment in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended March 2011 and March 2012.

The March 2012 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey shows that an estimated 8 384 000 people were employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy. This reflects an annual increase of about   95 000 employees (+1,1%) compared with March 2011 (an estimated 8 289 000 employees).

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended March 2011 and March 2012.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended March 2012 (January 2012 to March 2012) amounted to R347 739 million. This reflects an annual increase of R29 392 million (+9,2%) compared with the quarter ended March 2011 (January 2011 to March 2011).


Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased between November 2011 and February 2012.

The March 2012 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected a quarterly decrease of 1,0% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector between November 2011 (an estimated
R13 214) and February 2012 (an estimated R13 080).  

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between February 2011 and February 2012.

The March 2012 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected an annual increase of 6,7% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector between February 2011 (an estimated
R12 262) and February 2012 (an estimated R13 080).