Employment in the leisure sector in South Africa has seen significant fluctuations over the past decade. Starting at 13.13 thousand jobs in 2013, the number peaked at 17.42 thousand in 2014 before experiencing a declining trend, bottoming out at 8.32 thousand in 2017. The sector rebounded sharply in 2019 with 17.27 thousand jobs but faced another dip due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a relatively stable period from 2020 to 2023, maintaining around 14 thousand jobs. As of 2023, employment stood at 13.86 thousand jobs. Looking ahead, the forecast predicts a steady yet slight annual decline, with the number of jobs expected to reach 13.0 thousand by 2028.
Over the last two years from 2022 to 2023, the sector experienced a minimal decline of 1.18% each year. From 2018 to 2023, the average annual change was an increase of 8.01%. However, projections indicate an average annual decline of 1.01% over the next five years, with a total reduction of 4.96% by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the potential impact of technological advancements on job automation, shifts in consumer preferences towards digital and virtual entertainment, and the economic recovery post-COVID-19, which may influence leisure spending and employment. Sustainable tourism and eco-friendly initiatives might also play a significant role in shaping the industry.
