South Africa’s official unemployment rate is on the increase. In the past 10 years (2008–2018), the unemployment rate has increased from 21,5% to almost 28,0%. Unemployment refers to those persons who were not employed, had taken steps to look for a job or to start a business and were available to take up a job   read more »

The South African working-age population increased by 153 000 or 0,4 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. The rise in both employment (up by 206 000) and unemployment (up by 100 000) over the quarter led to the rise in the labour force participation rate now   read more »

27 October 2015 Media Release The results for the third quarter Quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) shows that the working-age population was 36,1 million – 15,8 million employed, 5,4 million unemployed and 14,9 million not economically active. The not economically active population decreased by 200 000 and the economically active population increased 359 000 quarter-to-quarter.   read more »

Employment levels at 14 million in Q3: 2013 are now back to the Q4: 2008 peak. The working age population however, has increased by 2,3 million over the period Q4: 2008 to Q3: 2013 such that the percentage of South Africans aged 15-64 years with jobs (the absorption rate) has declined from 45,0% in Q4:   read more »

Stats SA published 24 releases in May, with many providing a preliminary overview of economic performance in the first quarter (January–March). Key industries down in the first three months of the year Mining, manufacturing, electricity, construction, retail trade, motor trade and road transport were weaker in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the fourth   read more »

Labour migration, the movement of individuals across the borders for employment purposes, is a fundamental aspect of the global economy and has profound social, economic, and political implications. According to the report, Migration profile report for South Africa: A country profile 2023 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), most migrants entering South Africa originate   read more »

Stats SA published 25 statistical releases in November. Here is a quick overview of the latest economic indicators. Employment surpasses pre-COVID-19 levels Covering a sample of about 30 000 households across the country, the Quarterly Labour Force Survey reported a rise in employment figures in the South African workforce. The economy created 399 000 jobs in the   read more »

South Africa’s working-age population that are discouraged have shown a willingness to shift from being inactive to actively engaging in the labour market, either through employment or job-seeking efforts. This is evident in the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the third quarter of 2023. The number of persons who were not   read more »

Stats SA published 28 statistical releases in the month of August. Here is a monthly rundown of important economic indicators. Consumer and producer inflation continue to cool Inflation figures continue to provide some good news. Remaining on a downward path, consumer headline inflation slowed to its lowest reading in two years. The annual change in   read more »

South Africa celebrates Women’s Month in August. 9 August commemorates the women’s march of 1956, a protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women, which sought to control rather than empower them. The 2023 theme for Women’s Month, ‘Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment’, calls for the heightening of socio-economic programs and activities across   read more »