South Africa’s formal non agricultural sector recorded a slight increase in employment during the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics released by Statistics South Africa.
The data shows that formal employment rose by 29,000 jobs, bringing the total number of employed persons in the sector to 10.5 million in September.
Community services emerged as the biggest contributor to job growth, adding 39,000 positions during the period. Trade and mining also recorded modest gains.
However, these improvements were partly offset by losses in other sectors, including business services which shed 12,000 jobs, manufacturing which saw a decline of 5,000 positions, and construction which dropped by 4,000.
Employment levels in both the transport and electricity industries remained unchanged.
Although the quarter saw a marginal rise, the broader year on year picture remains negative. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the sector lost an estimated 79,000 jobs.
Stats SA noted an increase in part time employment, which grew by 50,000 jobs between June and September 2025.
Most of this growth came from community services, which added 42,000 part time positions.
The trade sector contributed 8,000 more jobs, while business services recorded an additional 6,000. Transport and electricity showed no movement over the same period.
Facebook Comments