South Africa's formal non-agricultural sector experienced a decline in employment, with 14,000 jobs lost in the second quarter of 2026. According to Statistics South Africa, the June employment total fell to 10.425 million, representing a quarterly decline of 0.1%. This decline was reported by the SABC on Tuesday, 29 September. The sectors recording the largest decreases were manufacturing, business services, trade, and transport.
Compared to June 2025, total employment covered by the survey was down by 95,000. The director of Quarterly Employment Statistics at Statistics South Africa, Matlapane Masupye, reported that full-time employment had fallen by 96,000 over that 12-month period. This significant decline in full-time employment contributed to the overall decrease in formal non-agricultural employment.
However, part-time employment showed an increase during the latest quarter. Part-time employment rose by 26,000 from 1.069 million in March to 1.095 million in June. The reported part-time gains included 32,000 in community services, 4,000 in business services, 2,000 in electricity, and 1,000 in transport. These gains were partly offset by decreases in other sectors.
The sectors that experienced decreases in part-time employment were manufacturing, construction, and trade, with 10,000, 2,000, and 1,000 jobs lost, respectively. Despite the increase in part-time employment, the overall decline in formal non-agricultural employment was driven by the significant losses in full-time employment.
Nedbank economists attributed the employment weakness to softer economic activity during the quarter, particularly in manufacturing and trade. The Quarterly Employment Statistics survey, which covers formal employment outside agriculture, reported these figures. It is essential to note that these figures do not represent a new unemployment-rate estimate.
Statistics South Africa measures the broader labour market through the separate Quarterly Labour Force Survey. This survey covers employment across industries and sectors and supplies information about unemployment. The Quarterly Employment Statistics survey provides insights into the formal non-agricultural sector, which is a critical component of the South African economy.
The decline in formal non-agricultural employment highlights the challenges facing the South African economy. The loss of 14,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026 underscores the need for strategies to stimulate economic growth and job creation in the formal non-agricultural sector.
Key points
- Formal non-agricultural employment in South Africa declined by 14,000 in the second quarter of 2026.
- Full-time employment fell by 96,000 over the 12-month period to June 2026.
- Part-time employment increased by 26,000 during the second quarter of 2026.
