SA records 80 000 job losses in three months as economists warn of weak economic growth

SOUTH Africa's formal sector shed 80 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2025, a 0.8% decline from March, raising renewed concerns about the country's stubbornly high unemployment levels.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Tuesday that total employment fell from 10.59 million in March to 10.51 million in June.

The sharpest losses came from community services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, and business services. Mining and electricity were the only industries to record gains.

Year-on-year, employment dropped by 229 000 jobs, or 2.1%.

Full-time employment also contracted by 44 000 jobs during the quarter, driven by losses in community services, business services, manufacturing, construction, trade and transport, while part-time employment fell by 36 000 jobs.

Economists said the figures underline South Africa's persistent jobs crisis.

North-West University Business School's Professor Raymond Parsons warned that unemployment will remain unsustainably high until economic growth accelerates.

"Ultimately only much higher inclusive GDP growth can successfully address this serious challenge. Unemployment is too high because economic growth is too low," Parsons said.