South Africa had one of the highest youth unemployed rate Youth unemployment – defined as those aged 15 to 34 – is at 46% on the narrow definition, and climbs significantly higher when discouraged work-seekers are included.
THE latest quarterly labour force survey from Statistics South Africa leaves no room for comfortable interpretation. Youth unemployment – defined as those aged 15 to 34 – is at 46% on the narrow definition, and climbs significantly higher when discouraged work-seekers are included. South Africa's overall unemployment rate has reached 32,7%, placing us among the worst performers globally on both counts.
The International Labour Organisation consistently ranks South Africa in the top tier of nations for youth joblessness, alongside Namibia and parts of the Middle East and North Africa. These are not peer comparisons that inspire confidence.
As Nkosinathi Mahlangu, youth employment specialist at the Momentum Group Foundation, observed following this year's Workers' Day commemorations: "The continued rise in youth unemployment is not just another statistic. It is a serious national concern that further dims the hopes and aspirations of millions of young people, particularly as the country approaches Youth Month in June."
