Nearly 400,000 domestic workers lost their jobs in five years — Here’s why

South Africa’s domestic work sector has been dealt a severe blow, with nearly 400,000 jobs lost over the past five years.

This is according to SweepSouth’s 2025 Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions Report, which warns of mounting hardship as rising costs continue to outpace wages.

One of the main reasons for job losses is families moving, with most of those who moved having emigrated overseas. Other families are simply cutting back on spending.

SweepSouth CEO Lourandi Kriel said that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were about 1.2 million domestic workers in South Africa, but this number has now dropped to just over 839,000 in the second quarter of 2025.

“So the decline in domestic workers is due to a multitude of factors. The economy hasn’t grown, and because of the tough economic conditions, some families can’t afford domestic help, and also some of them are probably emigrating,” Kriel explained.

The 8th annual report, based on responses from more than 5,000 domestic workers nationwide, shows that the sector remains one of the most vulnerable in the country’s labour market. While demand for domestic work has fallen, those still employed face deep financial strain.

Median monthly earnings sit at R3,635, almost R900 short of the R4,500 needed for basic living expenses. Alarmingly, 39% of workers earn below the National Minimum Wage, despite being the backbone of many South African households.

“These findings paint a stark picture of economic vulnerability. Even those working full-time, sometimes seven days a week, are trapped in a deficit between income and basic survival costs,” said Kriel.

“Unless we address wage gaps, abuse and barriers to skills growth, this cycle of hardship will continue to repeat itself.”

The report highlights how rising living costs are eroding already fragile earnings. Housing costs rose by 11% and food prices by 8% over the past year, further deepening the gap between income and survival.

With 82% of domestic workers serving as their household’s main breadwinner, and more than half supporting at least four dependents, the financial shortfall often drives workers into debt. One in three respondents reported being in debt, with more than a third describing their repayment outlook as “hopeless.”

Beyond the numbers, the report underscores the human toll. Sixteen percent of workers said their mental health had declined in the past year, citing financial strain, job insecurity and workplace abuse. Twenty percent also reported direct experiences of abuse in the workplace.

Despite these challenges, resilience remains strong. A remarkable 86% of domestic workers expressed a desire to further their education, with many seeing childcare, nursing, and elderly care as potential career paths.

Kriel said domestic workers must be recognised as “an essential part of South Africa’s social and economic fabric.”

 “By investing in their wellbeing and growth, we are not only protecting one of the most vulnerable groups in society but also creating stronger families, more stable communities and a workforce that can withstand external shocks.”

The report concludes with a call to action, urging employers to pay a living wage, policymakers to strengthen labour protections, and society at large to ensure domestic workers are recognised in economic planning.

“The findings of the 2025 report are clear. Unless wage policies, labour protections and social investments improve, the gap between what domestic workers earn and what they need to live will continue to widen,” Kriel warned.

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