IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

In the second quarter of 2008, the number of employed persons was 0,8% higher than in the first quarter of 2008 (an increase of 106 thousand - from 13,6 million to 13,7 million). The industry with the largest quarterly employment gains was community and social services (up 71 thousand or 2,8%).

In Q2:2008, the number of unemployed persons fell by 77 thousand to 4,1 million largely on account of a decline of 72 thousand among unemployed men.

The unemployment rate declined from 23,5% in Q1:2008 to 23,1% in Q2:2008 (down 0,4 of one percentage point), due to the expansion in employment and reduction in unemployment. However, in Q2:2008, the unemployment rate among African/Black women (31,1%) was more than eight times that of white men (3,6%).

Over the two quarters, the percentage of persons in the South African working age population with jobs was 44,5% in Q1:2008 and 44,7% in Q2:2008.

More than half of all unemployed persons (58,5% in Q2:2008) have been looking for work or trying to start a business for one year or longer.