Unemployment rate on the rise since 2008
This blog focuses on employment data released by StatsSA for Q2 of 2019. It appears on the Vision 2030 website.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Q2 2019 on 30 July. The results once again showed an increase in unemployment, with the rate rising from 27.3% in the first three months of the year to 29% over May to July. The most jobs were cut in transport and mining, which lost 42 000 and 36 000 posts respectively.
The rate is the highest it has been since 2008, when the current data series was initiated. However, joblessness among the working age population has remained firmly above 20% for at least 20 years due to insufficient economic growth.
Unemployment rate in South Africa by quarter from 2008–2019
Source: Statistics South Africa
