On 1 June Stats SA released its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of the year, announcing an official unemployment rate of 32,6%.

This number breaks down as follows:

  • Not economically active population has increased by 164,000
  • Discouraged work-seekers have increased by 200,000
  • The formal sector added 79,000 jobs between Q4 2020 and 2021
  • Youth aged 15-24 years and 25-34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates (of age groups) of 63,3% and 41,3% respectively
  • Approximately 3,3 million (32,4%) out of 10,2 million young people aged 15-24 years were not in employment, education or training (NEET)
  • The overall NEET rate increased by 1,7 percentage points

Here are some of our response to the media on what these numbers really mean for young South Africans.

 

  • Lebo Nke talks to NewzRoom Afrika News as joblessness numbers rise amid economic slowdown and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Watch here > 
  • Rob Urquhart unpacks the numbers and discusses the impact of a low-growth economy on creating the highest youth unemployment in the world for PowerFM Power Drive. Listen here > 
  • Maryana Iskander appears on NewzRooom Afrika AM Report as quarterly labour force survey confirms fears that youth unemployment in South Africa is worse than pre-pandemic levels. Watch here >
  • Lebo Nke talks to ENCA South African morning as Stats SA announce that unemployment is at a 13 year-high with more than 7.2million people now officially out of work. Watch here >

Other Interesting Articles

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In a recent article, Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of Business Leadership SA, highlights the critical issue of youth unemployment in South Africa and emphasizes the need for collaboration between business and government to address this pressing challenge. Mavuso points out that while businesses face various economic challenges, youth unemployment poses the most significant risk to social stability.


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Harambee in the News

Empowering South Africa’s Youth: The Key Role of Collaborative Partnerships

09 Nov 2023

The automotive repair industry in South Africa has long been a male-dominated field, with limited data on the representation of female artisans. This disparity in gender representation becomes even more concerning given the country’s high youth unemployment rate, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where it surpasses the national average. In response to this challenge, a groundbreaking partnership between Wise Cracks, a local windscreen repair company, and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator was initiated. Their aim was to empower young women from townships in the Eastern Cape through entrepreneurship and to expand the market for windscreen repair, promoting both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.


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Wise Cracks

Harambee in the News

Empowering Women in South Africa’s Automotive Repair Industry

07 Nov 2023

The automotive repair industry in South Africa has long been a male-dominated field, with limited data on the representation of female artisans. This disparity in gender representation becomes even more concerning given the country’s high youth unemployment rate, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where it surpasses the national average. In response to this challenge, a groundbreaking partnership between Wise Cracks, a local windscreen repair company, and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator was initiated. Their aim was to empower young women from townships in the Eastern Cape through entrepreneurship and to expand the market for windscreen repair, promoting both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.


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