By Thebe Mabanga
Formal non-agricultural employment edged up in the fourth quarter of 2025, increasing by 18 000 jobs (0.2%), according to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday.
Total employment stood at approximately 10.5 million. Despite the quarterly uptick, longer-term trends remain concerning.
A net 102 000 jobs were lost between December 2024 and December 2025, highlighting persistent weakness in the labour market.
Labour-intensive sectors bore the brunt of the decline. Construction recorded the largest drop, shedding 13 000 jobs, followed by manufacturing (-11 000).
Community services lost 5 000 jobs, transport declined by 4 000, and mining, often seen as a key job creator during commodity booms, cut 3 000 positions.
Gains were concentrated in fewer sectors. Trade added 37 000 jobs, while business services contributed 17 000. Employment in the electricity sector remained unchanged.
Of the 18 000 jobs
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