Labour Market Dynamics in South Africa, 2016

The Labour Market Dynamics in South Africa, 2016 "report provides information on labour market trends over the period 2010–2016, with particular focus on labour market dynamics as provided for by QLFS panel data. The panel allows the tracking of individuals on a quarterly basis, identifying the factors that facilitate the movement into employment, as well as distinguishing in which sectors, industries, occupations, and provinces employment outcomes are better.

Over the period 2010–2016, employment levels increased by 2,0 million from 13,8 million to 15,8 million. During the same period both unemployment rate (26,7%) and absorption rate (43,0%) increased by 1,8 percentage points and 1,2 percentage points respectively. Economic growth has declined from a high of 3,3% in 2011 to 0,3% in 2016.

The results from panel data indicate that the employed and the inactive population were more likely to remain in the same status. About 93,9% in 2010 and 93,3% in 2016 remained employed between the last two quarters (Q3 and Q4) of each year while those who remained economically inactive were about 91,3% in 2010 and 90,0% in 2016. On the other hand, the unemployment retention rates increased over the period from 66,9% in 2010 to 69,6% in 2016."