The rate of unemployment in South Africa appears to be worsening, as the latest statistical data reveals that more South Africans are currently unemployed. The country’s statistician general breaks down what has led to the percentage increase.
The rate of unemployment in South Africa has risen by 0.4% taking the country’s unemployment rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 35.3%, according to Statistics South Africa.
During the release of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) statistics on Tuesday, Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke stated Q4 of 2021 revealed that 262 000 more South Africans brings the current total number of unemployed South Africans to 14.5 million.
While the number of not economically active population decreased by 397 000 to 17.4 million during this quarter. The number of discouraged work-seekers decreased by 56 000 (1.4%) and the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 341 000 (2.4%) between the two quarters,
Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) further stated that the changes in the labour market resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.4 of a percentage point from 34.9% in Q3.
“The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition of unemployment decreased by 0.4 of a percentage point to 46.2 % in quarter 4 2021 compared to quarter 3 2021.”
Furthermore, according to the organisation, the number of people who are not working has been reduced by 397 000 to 17.4 million in the last quarter.
The 2021 Q4 report also revealed the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement declined by 341 000 (2.4 percent) during the two quarters.
“These changes in the labour market resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.4 of a percentage point from 34.9% in the third quarter of 2021 to 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 – the highest since the start of the QLFS in 2008,” Maluleke added.
The Agency also pointed out that the formal sector employment increased by 143 000 jobs between Q3:2021 and Q4:2021, while the informal sector shed jobs by 48 000 in the same period.
