Subscribers to our EasyData RSA Regional Indicators service can access the Quarter 1 2010 Labour Force Survey (LFS).
Below are some of the key results of the latest survey according to Stats SA.
- The number of persons in the labour force decreased slightly by 25 000 between Q4 2009 and Q1 2010. Employment also decreased by 171 000 between Q4 2009 and Q1 2010 with the formal sector losing 140 000 jobs, the informal sector losing 100 000; while Agriculture and Private households created some 35 000 and 34 000 jobs respectively.
- The number of unemployed persons increased by 145 000 between Q4 2009 and Q1 2010. The number of discouraged work-seekers also increased (153 000), which resulted in an increase of 0,9 of a percentage point in the unemployment rate between Q4:2009 (24,3%) and Q1 2010 (25,2%).
- Compared to Q1:2009, there was an annual decrease of 6,1% (833 000) in employment, an increase of 126 000 in the number of unemployed persons, and an increase of 1 071 000 in the number of persons who are not economically active — 624 000 being discouraged work-seekers.
Wondering what the Labour Force Survey is?
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) is a household-based sample survey conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). It collects data on the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 years and above who live in South Africa.