Job losses deepen as 95,000 jobs vanish in a year - IOL

South Africa’s formal non-agricultural sector shed 14 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026, with manufacturing recording the biggest employment decline.

South Africa has continued to bleed jobs, with the formal non-agricultural sector shedding 14,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026.

According to newly released figures by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday, the decline pushed total formal-sector employment down from 10.439 million jobs in March to 10.425 million in June.

The latest figures add to a difficult year for employment, with the sector losing 95,000 jobs between June 2025 and June 2026.

"The manufacturing industry experienced the largest employment decline (-20,000 jobs) in the quarter, with additional losses reported in business services (-13,000), trade (-8,000), and transport (-5,000). Community services reported the strongest employment growth (29,000 jobs), while electricity, mining and construction industries each posted modest gains of 1,000 jobs," the agency said.

Community services recorded the strongest employment growth, adding 29,000 jobs. Electricity, mining and construction each added 1,000 jobs.

Full-time employment fell by 40,000 jobs between March and June, from 9.37 million to 9.33 million.

The decline was mainly driven by business services and manufacturing, which each lost 17,000 full-time jobs. Trade lost 7,000, while transport shed 6,000.

On a year-on-year basis, full-time employment declined by 96 000 jobs. Part-time employment moved in the opposite direction, increasing by 26,000 jobs to 1.095 million in June.

Community services accounted for most of the increase, adding 32,000 part-time jobs, while business services added 4,000.

Meanwhile, gross earnings paid to employees fell by R4.8 billion, or 0.5%, during the quarter, from R1.03 trillion to R1.025 trillion.

"The overall decrease was driven by a sharp contraction in bonus payments by R23,1 billion. The most significant decline was observed in business services, followed by mining and transport, while community services, trade, construction, manufacturing and electricity reported increases in gross earnings."