Statistics South Africa releases Quarterly Labour Force Survey for 2019

11 February 2020

The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2019 indicate that the official unemployment rate remained unchanged (29,1%) compared to the third quarter of 2019. The results further indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 45 000 to 16,4 million and the number of unemployed persons decreased by 8 000 to 6,7 million in Q4: 2019 compared to Q3: 2019, resulting in an increase of 38 000 in the labour force.

The South African working-age population increased by 145 000 in Q4:2019 compared to Q3:2019. The number of discouraged work-seekers increased by 62 000 and those who were not active in the labour market for other reasons other than discouragement increased by 45 000 resulting in a net increase of 107 000 in the number of those who were not economically active.

Employment increased in two of the four sectors in Q4: 2019. The formal sector recording the largest employment increase of 117 000 followed by Agriculture (6 000). Employment in the informal sector declined by 77 000 and remain unchanged in the Private households.

An increase of 45 000 in the number of people in employment in the fourth quarter of 2019 was mainly driven by Community and social services with 113 000, followed by Finance (76 000) and Transport with 36 000. Declines in employment were recorded in Trade (159 000), Manufacturing (39 000) and Utilities (14 000).

There were approximately 10,3 million persons aged 15–24 years in Q4:2019. The share of these young people who were not in employment, education or training (NEET) decreased by 0,4 of a percentage point from 32,3% in Q3:2019 to 32,0% (3,3 million) in Q4:2019. Of the 20,4 million young people aged 15-34 years, 40,1% were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in Q4:2019 – a decrease of 0,3 of a percentage point compared to Q3:2019. 

Issued by Lesedi Dibakwane on behalf of Statistics South Africa, 11 February 2020