Employment in the Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa

Abstract

The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are increasingly attracting attention worldwide as important contributors to economic growth, innovation and job creation. The latter is particularly important in South Africa, which has very high unemployment rates. Studies in other countries have shown that the CCIs can grow faster than the rest of the economy, and that this section of the labour market may be more diverse and open to participation by people from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. However, this has not always been found to be the case. Using data from the Statistics South Africa Labour Market Dynamics South Africa (2008 – 2015), this is the first South African study to use the UNESCO classifications to define cultural employment. The analysis investigates the question of diversity and transformation in the CCIs, as well as the growth rate in cultural employment compared to other occupations. Results show that cultural and creative occupations contribute significantly to employment in South Africa, making up 2.5% of total employment in 2015. However, compared to non-cultural jobs, more jobs in the cultural sector are in the informal sector, and there are also significantly more freelance (or “own account”) workers. informality, urban economics would be well served to also look at other schools of thought for inspiration combined with the voices of those involved in this form of living.