South Africa lost close to 67,000 jobs in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, according to the latest quarterly employment report compiled by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

The total employment decreased by 67,000 or 0,6% quarter-on-quarter, from 10,731,000 in December 2023 to 10,664,000 in March 2024, according to the report.

The main sectors that were impacted were trade, business services and mining. There was an increase in employment in the manufacturing, transport and construction sectors.

Industries that lost jobs
Trade	57,000 jobs
Community services	18,000 jobs
Business services	4,000 jobs
Mining	3,000 jobs

Industries that gained jobs
Manufacturing	12,000 jobs
Transport	2,000 jobs
Construction	1,000 jobs

Gross earnings

Stats SA said that gross earnings paid to employees decreased by R35.1 billion or 3,5% from R993 billion in December 2023 to R957.9 billion in March 2024.

“This was due to decreases in the following industries: trade, community services, manufacturing, construction, transport, electricity and mining,” according to the report.

Stats SA noted that business services reported an increase of R9.3 billion. The report added that year-on-year (YoY) gross earnings increased by R43.5 billion (4,8%) between March 2023 and March 2024.

The report said that basic salary or wages paid to employees decreased by R6.7 billion (Q1) or from R855.6 billion in December 2023 to R848.9 billion in March 2024. (YoY)

It noted that the main reason for this decrease was the following industries: trade, manufacturing, construction, mining and business services.

“However, there were increases reported by the following industries: transport, electricity, and community services. Year-on-year basic salary/wages increased by R40.1 billion or 5,0% between March 2023 and March 2024,” Stats SA said.