Construction Sector Adds 130,000 Jobs, Driving South Africa’s Employment Recovery

The construction sector has created 130,000 new jobs in the third quarter of 2025 — accounting for nearly half of all new jobs in South Africa, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson welcomed the news on 11 November 2025, describing it as a turning point for the industry’s recovery.

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What Happened

According to Statistics South Africa’s report, the construction industry emerged as one of the leading job creators between July and September 2025. The increase comes after years of slow growth and reduced public investment in infrastructure.

Minister Macpherson attributed the improvement to ongoing reforms and investments spearheaded by his department, noting that more than R14 billion worth of projects are currently underway across the country.

Official Response

“While South Africa’s official unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, I am encouraged that the construction sector is starting to play its role to meaningfully provide jobs and opportunities,” said Minister Macpherson.

He added that the newly adopted South African Construction Action Plan (SACAP) would further boost growth. The plan focuses on six key interventions, from stricter accountability and real-time procurement monitoring to professionalising the public-sector built environment.

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Community Impact

Macpherson said the reforms aim to “turbocharge the construction sector” and deliver tangible results for communities. “We want South Africans to see more cranes in the sky and shovels in the ground,” he added.