South Africa’s official jobs tracker is getting its biggest overhaul in years. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will roll out a revamped Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) in the third quarter of 2025, promising sharper, more internationally aligned insights into the country’s employment landscape. The update introduces new definitions, categories, and indicators that could change how unemployment, underemployment, and the informal economy are measured. Here’s how to understand — and make the most of — the new QLFS data.
1. Know What’s Changing—and Why
Stats SA has entirely overhauled the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) questionnaire to align with the latest resolutions from the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), ensuring up-to-date, internationally comparable data. The changes have been thoroughly tested in 2024 to preserve accuracy.
2. Meet the New International Standards
Three major ICLS updates are at the core of the overhaul:
- 19th Resolution: Adds improved labour underutilisation indicators. The categories “Labour Force” and “Out of the Labour Force” replace outdated terms like “Economically Active.” Additional questions also address agricultural and fisheries work destinations.
- 20th Resolution: Introduces ICSE‑18 employment categories, expanding from four to ten classifications—including informal and precarious forms of work.
- 21st Resolution: Updates the definition of the informal economy—shifting focus from business size to registration, and prioritizing access to social insurance and sick leave over medical aid or contracts.
3. Why It Matters for Accuracy
Though new definitions may slightly shift informality trends, international experiences show minimal impact on data comparability. The overhaul actually enhances insights into underemployment and labour vulnerability—benefiting policymakers, researchers, and the public.
4. What to Watch For in Q3 2025
When the revamped QLFS launches in Q3, expect changes in headline metrics like unemployment and informal employment. Users should treat new data as a fresh baseline—paying special attention to labour underutilisation and employment relationship trends.
5. Who Benefits from This Upgrade
- Researchers: Get more nuanced employment data across job types, including informal and underutilised sectors.
- Policymakers: Gain deeper insights to target social grants, labour protections, and economic interventions.
- Public & Businesses: Understand evolving job market dynamics—especially among youth, agriculture workers, and informal sector participants.
Reading Checklist: What to Do Next
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Bookmark the Updated Release | Watch for the Q3 launch on Stats SA’s website or via their social platforms. (X (formerly Twitter)) |
| 2. Review New Definitions Carefully | Updated indicators and categories could significantly shift trends—especially in employment and informality. |
| 3. Compare Over Time with Caution | Use pre- and post-update data carefully—breaks in series likely mean they’re not directly comparable. |
| 4. Dive Deeper with Context | Use the new data alongside historical trends, economic data, and qualitative insights for a well-rounded view. |
Bottom Line
The revamped QLFS is a big leap forward for understanding South Africa’s evolving labour landscape. With newer, more precise categories, enhanced definitions, and better alignment with global standards, this update arms analysts, officials, and citizens with richer, more actionable labour market insights.
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