Total employment dropped by 0.8%, with 80 000 jobs lost, declining from 10 589 000 in March to 10 509 000 in June.

Both formal and part-time employment were affected, with the largest losses reported in community services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, and business services. Only the mining and electricity sectors recorded modest gains, adding around 3 000 jobs, far outweighed by the overall decline.

Community services, which include national, provincial, and local government authorities as well as health and social workers, accounted for the steepest drop.

Overall, the first half of 2025 has already seen a loss of 144 000 formal sector jobs, reflecting a challenging economic growth environment and a persistently dismal labour market outlook.

–ChannelAfrica–