As South Africa grapples with a youth unemployment crisis, are we overlooking the critical impact on healthcare access and long-term health outcomes?
Youth unemployment is usually discussed through an economic lens, lost income, fewer opportunities, and limited participation in the economy.
But beyond that, there is another consequence that receives far less attention: the impact unemployment has on healthcare access and long-term health outcomes.
South Africa's youth unemployment crisis remains one of the country's most pressing challenges.
According to Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2026, unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 sits at 60.9%, while among those aged 25 to 34 it stands at 40.6%.
