Slight rise in SA employment numbers driven by surge in new part-time jobs

The latest employment numbers are a mixed bag, but do bring some good news.

There was an increase in formal non-agricultural jobs in the third quarter of 2025, while overall full-time employment declined, according to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics from Statistics South Africa.

Total employment increased by 29,000 or 0.3% quarter-on-quarter from June to September this year.

The industries showing the most growth were community services, trade, and mining; while electricity and transport remained unchanged. Decreases were reported by the business services, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Full-time employment dropped by 21,000 or -0,2% quarter-on-quarter, from 9,426, 000 in June 2025 to 9,405,000 in September.

50 000 new part-time jobs were created, which is a 4,6% quarter-on-quarter increase - from 1,094,000 in June to 1,144,000 in September.

Stephen Grootes talks to economist Professor Miriam Altman, director of Altman Advisory, about this trend.

The uptick in part-time jobs is not necessarily a bad thing, remarks Professor Altman.

That is why, at the National Planning Commission, they sometimes talk about a livelihood rather than just a job per se, she explains.

"What you need is enough opportunities that you can assemble a livelihood with, doing possibly multiple things."

This is how things work around the world generally, she says, although it might feel relatively new in South Africa.

Prof. Altman refers to research which reflects that most jobs globally are now found in the services economy, even in strong manufacturing countries like China and Korea.

"Most people, including in the US, are not able to make ends meet because services jobs tend to pay less - I'm not talking here about the high-tech kind of person but the people who are cleaning, doing your nails and washing your hair, working in security and so on."

The issue here is that countries need a system that is supportive, or else this becomes a problem that actually holds a nation back, she says.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to Prof. Altman's analysis