Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS)

Q1:2024

Risenga Maluleke
Statistician-General
Total employment increased by 22 thousand to 16,7 M in Q1:2024

Not Economically Active (NEA)

Employed Unemployed 3,0M Other NEA

Q4:2023
16,7M 7,9M 13,4M

work seekers
Discouraged
Employed Unemployed 3,0M Other NEA

Q1:2024 16,7M 8,2M 13,1M

work seekers
Discouraged
22 000 More Employed 330 000 More 1 000 214 000 Fewer Other Not
between Q4:2023 and Unemployed between Fewer Discouraged Economically Active
Q1:2024 Q4:2023 and Q1:2024 between Q4:2023 between Q4:2023 and
and Q1:2024 Q1:2024

2
 Employment increased by 22 000 in the first quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 22 000 in the
last quarter of 2023.
Employment changes Q1:2020-Q1:2024
THOUSAND

1000
648
370 399
500
204 169 258
154
22
0

-22
-500

-1000

-1500

-2000

-2500
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

3
 The number of employed persons remains at 16,7M in Q1:2024 since surpassing the pre-COVID level of
16,4M in Q1:2020
Employment Q1: 2020 – Q1: 2024

Pre - COVID

16,4M 16,7M 16,7M 16,7M

16,2M 16,3M
15
15,6M 15,8M 15,9M
14,7M 15,0M 15,0M 14,9M 14,9M
14,3M 14,5M
Million

14,1M
12

0
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

4
The official unemployment rate stands at 32,9 %, an increase of 0,8 of a percentage point in
Q1:2024 compared to Q4:2023.
41,2 million
People of working age in South Africa (15 – 64-year-old)

Labour force Not Economically Active

25,0 million 16,2 million

Employed Unemployed
3,0M Other NEA
16,7M 8,2M 13,1M

work seekers
Discouraged
SA’s official unemployment rate
stands at

32,9%
ILO hierarchy – Employed first then unemployed and the
remainder is NEA (including discouraged job-seekers). 3
Increased by 0,8 of a percentage point mutually exclusive groups. Cannot be in two groups at the same
between Q4:2023 and Q1:2024
time.

5
 The number of Not Economically Active persons decreased by 215 000 in Q1:2024 compared
to Q4:2023
Characteristics of the not economically active, Q4:2023 vs Q1:2024
Q/Q
Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Changes
Percentage Change
-252 000
Student 36,9% q 1,1% points

Discouraged work seekers 18,8% p 0,2% point - 1 000

Home-maker 14,3% q 0,7 % point -143 000

Too old/young to work 10,8% p 0,5 % point 61 000

Illness/disability 10,2% q 0,2% point -57 000

Other 9,0% p 1,2 % points

178 000

6
In Q1 of 2024, the labour force participation rate increased by 0,7 of a percentage point to 60,7%,
while the absorption rate decreased by 0,1 of a percentage point to 40,7%.

Labour force participation and absorption rates Q1:2014-Q1:2024

Labour force participation rate is the proportion of the working-
age population that is either employed or unemployed
60,0% 60,7%
60,3%
57,2%

14,4% Points Pre - COVID

difference
20,0% Points difference
42,8 42,1

40,8
Absorption rate is the proportion of 40,7
the working-age population that is employed

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

7
The expanded unemployment rate increased by 0,8 of a percentage point to 41,9% when
comparing Q1:2024 and Q4:2023.
Official vs Expanded unemployment: Q1:2014-Q1:2024
Expanded Definition includes the following

- Official unemployment (searched and available) 8,2 M

50%
- Available to work but are/or
• Discouraged work-seekers 3,0 M
45% • Have other reasons for not searching 0,9 M
41,1% 12,1 million unemployed
41,9%
40%
35,1%
Expanded
35%
32,9%
30% 8,2 million unemployed
25,2%
32,1%
25%
Official
20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
Q1:2014 10 year period Q1:2024

8
NW (53,6%) recorded the highest expanded unemployment rate in Q1:2024, followed by EC (49,1%).
Limpopo recorded the highest difference between expanded and official unemployment rates of 15,1 percentage points.

Provincial unemployment rate: Official vs Expanded Q1:2024

Official Expanded
EC 42,4% 49,1%

NW 40,5% 53,6%

FS 38,0% 45,1%

MP 36,2% 47,0%

GP 34,2% 38,9%

RSA 32,9% 41,9%

LP 32,7% 15,1% points difference 47,8%

KZN 29,9% 43,7%

15,8 % points difference

NC 28,3% 41,7%

WC 21,4% 26,1%

9
 While the unemployment rates in WC and KZN have consistently been below the official unemployment
rate in SA for the past ten years, the unemployment rate in EC has continuously exceeded it.
Official Unemployment rates by province, SA Provincial Unemployment Rate
Q1:2014-Q1:2024 Unemployment Rate

60%

50%

42,4%
40,5% 36,2%
38,0%
32,7%
40% 34,2% 28,3%
29,9% 21,4%

30%

20%

10%

EC NW FS MP GP LP KZN NC WC
0%
Q1 Q1
2014 2024

10
45,0 The unemployment rate increased in all provinces between Q4:2023 and Q1:2024.
45,0
The largest increase of 2,4 percentage points was recorded in LP
41,9%
42,4%
40,5%
Official unemployment rate by province: Q4:2023-Q1:2024
40,0 39,0%
40,0
p
38,0% 0,5%
37,0% p
36,2%
p 1,5%
34,9% 1,0%
35,0
33,8%
34,2% p
SA 1,3%
32,1%
32,9% 32,7%
p
29,9% 30,3% 0,4%
30,0 29,5% p
2,4%
28,3%
p
26,9% 0,4%

25,0 p
1,4%

21,4%
20,3%
20,0
p
1,1%

WC NC KZN LP GP MP FS NW EC
15,0
Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024 Q4:2023 Q1:2024

11
 The number of unemployed people in South Africa increased from 5,1 million in Q1:2014 to
8,2 million in Q1:2024. The proportion of those in long-term unemployment increased from 66,0% in Q1:2014 to
75,2% in Q1:2024
*Long term unemployment –unemployed for a year or longer
9
7,9 M
8,2M
8 Number of unemployed
1,8
2,0
7

24,8%
6 5,1M
5 Short-term unemployed
Million

1,7
4
34,0%

75,2%
2
Long term unemployed*
66,0%

0
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

12
The formal sector in South Africa accounts for 68,9% of total employment.
Employment share by sector, Q1:2014 to Q1:2024

Formal sector employment

68,9%
11,5M
10,8M
FORMAL SECTOR

3,1 M 18,4%
2,3M InformalPrivate
sector employment
Household 1M
1,2M Private Households 1,2 M 7,0%
709 000 Agriculture 941 000 5,6%
Q1:2014 Agriculture Q1:2024

13
All employment sectors increased between Q4:2023 and Q1:2024, except for the informal
sector which decreased by 100 000 jobs.
Employment changes by sector, (Quarter-on-quarter)

14
p by
12 56 000 Q4:2023 Q1:2024
10
8
6
q by
4 100 000
p by
Million

p by
2 21 000 44 000

0
Formal sector (non- Informal sector (non- Agriculture Private households
agricultural) agricultural)
(11,5 million) (3,1 million) (941 thousand) (1,2 million)

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Employment increases were mainly in the Trade, Manufacturing, and Private households industries.
However, the largest decreases in employment were recorded in Services and Construction.
Percentage
change
Employment changes by industry, Quarter-on-quarter change (‘000)

Trade 109 3,2%

Manufacturing 99 6,6%,

Private households 44 3,9%

Transport 39 3,8%
Agriculture 21
2,3%
Mining 9 1,9%

-17 Utilities -14,1%

-50 Finance -1,7%

-106 Construction -8,0%

-122 Community and social services

-3,1%

15
 KZN and GP recorded the largest increases in employment in Q1:2024, while WC and NW recorded the
largest decreases.
Quarter-on-quarter change in employment by province (‘000) (Q4:2023 and Q1:2024)

40
(‘000)

KZN
35
30
GP
26
20

10
FS NC

WC NW MP EC LP 0 4
0
-4
-8 -3
-10 -13
-17
-20

16
Graduate unemployment rate increased by 2,3 percentage points to 11,8% in Q1:2024 compared to
9,6% in Q4:2023. Those with matric and less than matric remain vulnerable with an unemployment
rate of 34,5% and 39,1% respectively which are higher than SA official unemployment rate.
Official Unemployment rate by level of education, Q1:2024

Less than matric 39,1%

Matric 34,5%

Other tertiary 22,5%

SA Official
Unemployment
Rate 32,9%

Graduates 11,8%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

17
Youth aged 15-24 years and
25-34 years continue to have
the highest unemployment
rates at 59,7% and 40,7%
Unemployment rate Absorption rate Participation rate
respectively.

Labour market rates by

age group, Q1:2024
55-64 11,9% 38,8% 44,0%

45-54 20,8% 58,7% 74,0%

35-44 28,3% 56,9% 79,4%

25-34 40,7% 44,9% 75,6%

75,6% of those in the working

15-24 59,7% 10,8% 26,8% age 25-34 are participating in the
labour market with 44,9% of the
AGE working age are in employment

Labour force participation rate is the proportion of the working-age Absorption rate is the proportion of the
population that is either employed or unemployed
18 working-age population that is employed
 Youth aged 15-34 years are more vulnerable to unemployment when compared to
older age groups
Official Unemployment rates by age group,
Q1:2014-Q1:2024

45% 45,5%

36,1% 44,3%
15-34 years

30%
23,0%
23,4%
15,6%
15%
35-64 years

0%
SA Unemployment rate
Q1 Q1
2014 2024

19
Approximately 3,6 million (35,5%) out of 10,3 million young people aged
15-24 years were not in employment, education or training (NEET).
8
Million

6
4 10,3 Mil
2
0 Number of NEET for ages 15-24 Q3 2022
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80+

Working Age Population

Number of NEET for ages 15-24

Q1:2024
6,6 Million
3,6 Million Employed or in
NEET Education or Training

20
The overall NEET rate (15 – 24yrs) decreased by 0,6 of a percentage point in Q1:2024 compared
to Q1:2023.

Q1:2020-Q1:2024 NEET rate for ages 15-24 & 15-34 year old 1 Year

50%
41,7%
15- 34 Years 44,7% q 0,9 of a % point y/y

43,8%
40%
35,5%
36,1%
30% 34,1%

q 0,6 of a % point y/y

20% 15- 24 Years

10% 1 Year

0%
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

21
The unemployment rate among the Black African (36,9%) population group
remains higher than the national average and other population groups.
OFFICIAL unemployment rate by population group, Q1:2024

SA

White Indian/Asian Coloured Black African

Unemployment Rate 9,2% 12,6% 23,0% 32,9% 36,9%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

22
Black African women continue to be the most vulnerable with an unemployment
rate of 39,2% in Q1:2024.
Official unemployment rate by population group and sex, Q1:2024

Male Female

Black African 34,9% 39,2%

SA 31,0% 35,2%

4,2% Gap in official

Coloured 22,5% 23,5% unemployment
between the sexes

Indian/Asian 9,0% 19,0%

White 8,7% 9,7% Increasing Official Unemployment

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

23
 Black African unemployment rates have been consistently higher than other
population groups over the past 10-year period.
Official Unemployment rates by population group,
Q1:2014-Q1:2024

36,9%
40%
Black African Coloured White
Indian/Asian

23,5%

28,5%
20% 12,6%
23,0%
9,2%

12,4%
SA Unemployment rate 6,6%
0%
Q1 Q1
2014 2024

24
 RECAP (QLFS, Q1:2024)
❖ Unemployment rate increased by 0,8 of a percentage point to
32,9% in Q1:2024. The absorption rate decreased by 0,1 of a
percentage point to 40,7% and the labour force participation rate
increased by 0,7 of a percentage to 60,7%.

❖ The number of employed persons increased by 22 000 in Q1:2024

compared to Q4:2023. The number of those who were
unemployed increased by 330 000 in the same quarter.

❖ The largest industry employment gains were recorded in

Trade(109 000), Manufacturing (99 000), and Private households
(44 000), while the largest industry employment losses were
recorded in Community and social services (122 000) and
Construction (106 000).

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 QLFS
Q1:2024

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