South Africa’s unemployment rate has risen by 0.6 percentage points from 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024 to 33.5% in the second quarter, according to a report from the government’s statistics office. This increase highlights ongoing challenges for the country’s economy, which has struggled with job creation amid a long recession and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of people without work has surged to 8.4 million, a significant rise from 5.2 million in 2014. Employment figures show a decrease of 92,000 jobs, bringing the total number of employed persons down to 16.7 million. The sectors most affected by job losses include trade, agriculture, and construction, while manufacturing, social services, and utilities have seen job growth.
These figures come as the new coalition government, which took office following the May elections, prioritizes economic revitalization. Unemployment was a major political issue during the election, contributing to the African National Congress (ANC) losing its absolute majority. The statistics also indicate that the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal have experienced the most significant employment declines.
