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South Africa’s employment rate fell 0.2% in the first quarter of 2023, driven by growing joblessness in the trade, business services, transport, and construction industries.
Total employment decreased by 21 000 during the period, down from 9 991 000 people employed in December 2022, data from Statistics South Africa showed on Tuesday.
Compared to the quarter through to the end of March 2022, South Africa’s employment rate decreased by 1%, leading to 97 000 job losses.
The trade industry was the biggest contributor to the decline, shedding 36 000, 1.6% of jobs, while business services and transport lost 32 000 and 2 000, respectively.
The construction industry recorded 2 000 less jobs.
In contrast, community services added 41 000 jobs, while mining had 5 000 more. The manufacturing industry recorded 4 000 more jobs, while the electricity sector added 1 000.
Full-time employment decreased by 63 000 or 0.7 % quarter-on-quarter, down to 8 818 000 from 8 881 000 in the previous quarter. From a year ago, it decreased by 24 000 or 0.3%.
Although part-time employment added 42 000 jobs, growing 3.8% during the reporting period, it decreased when compared to March 2023.
Part-time employment dropped by as much as 6% to 73 000 year-on-year.
This article first appeared on Moneyweb https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/economy/21-000-job-losses-in-the-first-quarter/
