Number of jobs in South African agriculture grows by 50 per cent in 13 years

The number of jobs in South Africa's agricultural sector has grown by 50 per cent in the long term, from 627 000 in Q1 2011 to 941 000 in the first quarter of this year. This is reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

Overall, the sector employs about 5.6 per cent of South Africa's population. There are twice as many men as women, 641 000 and 300 000 respectively.

“During the first quarter of 2024, the number of women increased by 8 000 (2.8 per cent), while the number of men increased by 13 000 (2.1 per cent) compared to the previous quarter,” the report said. Overall, the number of people employed in the sector increased by 21,000.

Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo said the positive performance was in most sub-sectors of agriculture in Q1 compared to the corresponding period last year. According to him, only the production of organic fertilisers, fisheries and fish farms showed a decline.

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