Total employment experienced a slight dip of 14 000 positions (-0.1%) in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Quarterly Employment Survey released by Stats SA, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The total number of employed individuals fell from 10 439 000 in March 2026 to 10 425 000 in June 2026, marking a continuation of a year marked by job losses across several key industries.
The survey highlighted significant declines in sectors such as manufacturing, where employment shrank by 20 000 (-1.6%), business services with a reduction of 13 000 (-0.5%), trade losing 8 000 (-0.3%), and transport, which saw a decrease of 5 000 (-1.1%).
These losses translated into a staggering year-on-year decline, with the report indicating a total loss of 95 000 jobs (-0.9%) compared to June 2025 as South Africa’s economic challenges persist.
However, it wasn’t all bleak. While full-time employment fell by 40 000 or -0.4% from the previous quarter, there were notable increases in part-time employment, which rose by 26 000 or 2.4%.
#SAemployment || Full-time employment declined by 40 000 jobs between Q1:2026 and Q2:2026, decreasing from 9 370 000 to 9 330 000 jobs.
The decline in full-time employment was mainly driven by the business services industry, which recorded a loss of 17 000 jobs, followed by… pic.twitter.com/xmYg80KlJt
— Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (@StatsSA) September 29, 2026
The gains in part-time positions were primarily driven by the community services sector, which added 32 000 jobs (7.4%), alongside modest increases in business services, electricity, and transport. Despite this positive note, full-time employment saw a more significant year-on-year decrease, down 96 000 jobs (-1.0%).
The economic context is further illustrated by gross earnings data, which decreased by R4.8 billion or -0.5%, from R1.029 trillion in March 2026 to R1.025 trillion in June 2026. This decline was attributed largely to the business services, mining, and transport sectors. Conversely, community services, construction, manufacturing, and electricity showed earnings growth.
#SAemployment || The manufacturing industry experienced the largest employment decline according to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) Q2:2026 survey, with additional losses reported in business services, trade, and transport.
Join Acting DDG, @raku_19, on… pic.twitter.com/NR8ZV1NLPt
— Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (@StatsSA) September 29, 2026
Basic wages and salaries saw an increase, rising by R15.5 billion or 1.7%, due largely to improvements in community services, business services, construction, and manufacturing.
Year-on-year, basic salaries rose by R26.7 billion or 3.0%. Yet, bonuses presented a different story, plummeting by R23 billion (-26.9%) from the previous quarter, influenced by losses in various sectors, while the construction and trade industries reported an uptick in bonus payments.
In terms of overtime payments, there was a positive shift, with a R2.7 billion increase (9.3%) in payments from March to June 2026. This was attributed to increased activity in community services, construction, and several other sectors, marking a rare bright spot amid an otherwise troubling employment landscape.
Despite these fluctuating figures, average monthly earnings rose by 2.6% from February to May 2026, reaching R30,611, a modest year-on-year increase of 4.1%.
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Picture: Lubabalo Lesolle / Gallo Images
