According to the quarterly labour force survey, employment increased in the third quarter and the unemployment rate decreased. If it sounds too good to be true, remember that the monthly indicators showing that the economy struggled in the third quarter show that the sectors where production declined are also those where jobs were lost, specifically manufacturing and mining. But then what do we know about the jobs that were created?

This episode is supported by Economic Research Southern Africa and the NWU Business School.

Errors and omissions are my own.