Labour Market Intelligence research programme

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the supply of and demand for skills in South Africa, with the aim of informing future skills policy and supporting an inclusive economic growth path. The report largely uses data for the Q2 2018–Q2 2021 period from the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Surveys and data for the 2018–2020 period from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It also makes use of other sources, where appropriate, to supplement its analysis.

Investigating both the demand for and supply of skills involved an exploration of the state of the economy, trends in the composition of the labour force, trends in the sectoral and occupational distributions of employment and trends in the post-school education and training (PSET) system. The interaction between supply and demand provides the basis for identifying signals regarding the nature and extent of the skills imbalances facing South Africa. By understanding these imbalances, it is possible to steer supply, guiding future investment and interventions and, ultimately, ensuring that the PSET system supports an inclusive skills development path.

This publication covers

• International context
• The South African economy
• The supply of skills
• The demand for skills
• Skills imbalances
• Key Findings and Recommendations