The tragedy of youth unemployment brings severe economic and societal consequences.
South Africa’s younger citizens had little to celebrate this Youth Month.
Unemployment among those aged between 15 and 34, who make up almost half of the country’s working-age population, stood at 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to Statistics South Africa. While this reflects a slight improvement compared with the previous year, it remains at deeply elevated levels, underscoring a persistently weak youth labour market.
The picture is even more concerning at the lower end of the age spectrum, with unemployment among those aged 15 to 24 hovering at 60.1% during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the continued difficulty young South Africans face in entering the job market.
The very idea that youths born after the dawn of democracy in 1994 are referred to as “born frees” must surely feel like a cruel joke to those facing one closed door after another while trying to make something of their lives.
