SOUTH AFRICA: Jobless rate rises for the third quarter running

According to data published on Tuesday by the country’s national statistics agency, South Africa’s official unemployment rate rose from 32.9% in the first quarter to 33.5% in the second quarter of this year.

Employment fell to 16.7 million in the second quarter, while the number of unemployed rose by 158,000 to 8.4 million, according to the report. 

Stats South Africa said 137,000 more people, or 0.3%, entered the labour market in the three months compared to the first quarter. 

On a yearly basis, unemployment rose by 0.9 percentage points from 32.6% in the second quarter to 2023.

33.5% is the highest rate since unemployment reached 33.9% in the second quarter of 2022.

When compared with the first quarter of 2024, the extended unemployment rate – which includes people who have given up looking for work – rose by 0.7 percentage points to 42.6% between April and June.

In the second quarter, formal sector employment fell in trade (118,000), finance (24,000), construction (15,000), mining (10,000) and transport (1,000), compared to the first quarter. Increases were recorded, however, in manufacturing (41,000), social and community services (37,000) and utilities (8,000).

Keep Reading

Over the previous year, there was a net gain of 138,000 jobs in the formal sector, mainly thanks to finance (292,000) and manufacturing (59,000).

Employment in the agricultural sector fell by 45,000 in the second quarter, while employment in private households fell by 18,000.

Informal sector employment rose by 48,000, thanks to gains in finance (15,000) and mining (13,000).  

Dexter

Recent Posts

At least 7 members of the Nigerian security forces are missing after insurgentsambushed their convoy

A team of 80 security agents tasked with protecting the electricity grid was ambushed onMonday in Shiroro, Niger State, by…

November 21, 2024

Cryptocurrency Gains Momentum inAfrica Amid Global Shifts in Trump’sElection

Cryptocurrency becomes the new thing in Africa. People shift for stable alternatives aftertheir unstable local currencies. Many people believe Donald…

November 21, 2024

UAE Delivers Lifeline: 30,000 Food BasketsBring Hope to Sudanese Refugees in Uganda

UAE has also distributed 30,000 food baskets to Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo refugeecamp Uganda to benefit nearly 100,000 affected people.Aid…

November 21, 2024

Turkey wants to increase its trade with Africa to 50 billion dollars

The trade volume between Türkiye and 54 African countries has grown sevenfold, reaching $37 billion from 2003 to 2023, Yılmaz…

November 20, 2024

Tanzania, Botswana, and Mozambique Secure Spots in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

The final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches was held this week with Tanzania, Botswana and…

November 20, 2024

Lucas Moripe: The Masterpiece of SA Football Leaves a Legacy

'Masterpieces' Lucas Moripe passed away at his Atteridgeville home on Tuesday at his senior year of 71. His style of…

November 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.