The unemployment rate increases in South Africa. Image: Phill Magakoe
South Africa’s unemployment rate goes up again, worrying figures
The latest Statistic South Africa’s unemployment stats show a slight increase in the country’s unemployment rate.
The unemployment rate increases in South Africa. Image: Phill Magakoe
The recently released unemployment statistics reveal that the unemployment rate rose again in the fourth quarter.
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Slight increase in the unemployment rate in Q4
Statistics South Africa has published the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q3 2023, showing a slight increase in the country’s unemployment rate.
The official unemployment rate increased by 0.2% from 32.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2023.
According to the expanded definition, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2% to 42.4% in Q1 2023 compared to Q4 2022.
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The survey results indicate that 179 000 jobs were lost, leading to unemployment between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. The total number of persons unemployed was 7.9 million in Q1 2023.
The number of employed persons increased by 258 000 to 16.2 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.
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Some improvements, at least
The number of people who were not economically active due to unemployment for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 209 000 to 13.2 million.
Work-seekers are discouraged because unemployment decreased by 87 000 in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, resulting in a net decrease of 296 000 in the not economically active population.
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According to Stats SA, the working-age population increased by 0.9% from 58.5% in Q4 2022 to 59.4% in Q1 2023
The number of unemployed people in South Africa also increased from 4.9 million in Q1 2013 to 7.9 million in Q1 2023. The proportion of long-term unemployment increased from 65.5% in Q1 2013 to 77.2% in Q1 2023.
