South Africa gained almost 200 000 jobs between March 2006 and 2007, Statistics South Africa reported on Wednesday.
Its Labour Force Survey said the number of people employed rose from 12 451 000 to 12 648 000.
As a result of this employment growth, the percentage of working-age South Africans with jobs rose from 41,7% in March 2006 to 41,9% in March 2007.
The country’s unemployment rate however remained virtually unchanged at 25,5% in March 2007 compared with 25,6% in March 2006.
The June 2007 Quarterly Employment Statistics survey also released on Wednesday showed that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the economy increased by about 53 000 from March to an estimated 8 297 000 employees in June of this year.
This reflected an annual increase of about 238 000 employees, or 3% compared with June 2006.
The survey reflected an annual increase of 7,5% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between May 2006, an estimated R7 531, and May 2007, an estimated R8 093. – Sapa