Fourth quarter sees decrease in non-agricultural sector employment
The total number of employment in the non-agricultural sector decreased by nearly 200,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
This was revealed by Statistics South Africa in the Quarterly Employment Statistics released earlier today.
This brings the level of employment in the sector to 10.7 million.
The survey shows that the community services industry saw the highest number of job losses, followed by the construction industry and the business services industry, which experienced a loss of 12 000 jobs.
Stats SA’s Director for Quarterly Employment Statistics, Matlapane Masupye says despite an increase in job cuts, certain industries experienced growth in employment.
"The trade industry saw an uptick of 56 000 jobs, trailed by the transport industry with 2 000 jobs, and the electricity industry with 1 000 jobs.
Full-time employment decreased by 5 000 jobs, dropping from 9 498 000 in the third quarter of 2023 to 9 493 000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Several industries witnessed declines in full-time employment.
The construction sector observed a reduction of 13 000 jobs, followed by the manufacturing industry with a loss of 12 000 jobs, and the community services industry with a decrease of 11 000 jobs.
Conversely, the trade industry reported an increase of 31 000 jobs.
Meanwhile, moderate increases were noted in the transport and electricity industries, with 3 000 jobs and 1 000 jobs, respectively," says Masupye.
Masupye says year-on-year, the number of full-time jobs rose by 12 000 in December 2023 compared to December 2022.
"Part-time employment decreased by 189 000, reaching a total of 1 212 000 in December 2023 compared to 1 401 000 reported in September 2023.
This decrease was mainly driven by declines in community services with 203 000 jobs.
Business services, construction and transport industries reported losses of 9 000, 6 000 and 1 000 jobs, respectively.
However, certain industries experienced an increase in part-time employment, with trade adding 25 000 jobs and manufacturing adding 5 000 jobs. Electricity remained unchanged for the quarter,"
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