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South Africa Jobless Rate Steady at 11-Year High
South Africa's unemployment rate held steady at 29.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019, unchanged from the previous month's 11-year high, as the number of unemployed people dropped only by 8 thousand to 6.7 million. Employment increased by 45 thousand to 16.42 million from 16.38 million in the prior period, likely influenced by the festive season. Total employment went up in six of the 10 industries, with the largest increases recorded in community and social services (113 thousand), followed by finance (76 thousand) and transport (36 thousand). Declines were recorded in the trade (-159 thousand), manufacturing (-39 thousand) and utilities (-14 thousand) sectors, as a result of severe power cuts. The expanded definition of unemployment, including people who have stopped looking for a work, was 38.7 percent, up slightly from 38.5 percent in the previous quarter. Also, the youth unemployment rate dropped to 58.1 percent from 58.2 percent in the previous period.
Published on 2020-02-11

South Africa Jobless Rate at Over 11-Year High
The unemployment rate in South Africa edged up to 29.1 percent in the Q3 2019, its highest level since comparable data began in Q1 2008, matching market expectations. The number of unemployed rose by 78 thousand to 6.73 million while employment increased by 62 thousand to 16.38 million. A year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 27.5 percent.
Published on 2019-10-29

South Africa Jobless Rate Highest since 2003
The unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 29 percent in the second quarter of 2019 from 27.6 in the previous period. It was the highest jobless rate since the first quarter of 2003, as the number of unemployed rose by 455 thousand to 6.65 million and employment rose by 21 thousand to 16.31 million. A year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 27.2 percent.
Published on 2019-07-30

South Africa Jobless Rate at 1-1/2-Year High of 27.6%
The unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 27.6 percent in the first quarter of 2019 from 27.1 percent in the previous period. It is the highest jobless rate since Q3 2017, as the number of unemployed went up by 62 thousand to 6.20 million and employment fell by 237 thousand to 16.29 million. The unemployment rate usually rises in the first quarter of the year, as temporary staff hired to work over the busy festive season is dismissed. However, a year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 26.7 percent.
Published on 2019-05-14

South Africa Jobless Rate Drops to 27.1% in Q4
The unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 27.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 from 27.5 percent in the previous period. The number of unemployed went down by 70 thousand to 6.14 million and employment rose by 149 thousand to 16.53 million. The unemployment rate usually falls in the last quarter of the year, due to higher job activity during the festive season. However, a year earlier, the jobless rate was lower at 26.7 percent.
Published on 2019-02-12

South Africa Jobless Rate Highest in a Year
The unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 27.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018 from 27.2 percent in the previous period. It was the highest jobless rate since the third quarter of 2017, as the number of unemployed increased by 127 thousand to 6.21 million. Meantime, the number of employed advanced by 92 thousand to 16.38 million.
Published on 2018-10-30

South Africa Jobless Rate Rises to 27.2% in Q2
The unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 27.2 percent in the second quarter of 2018 from 26.7 percent in the previous period. The number of unemployed rose by 103 thousand to 6.08 million while the number of employed fell by 90 thousand to 16.29 million.
Published on 2018-07-31

South Africa Jobless Rate Steady at 26.7% in Q1
South Africa's unemployment rate came in at 26.7 percent in the first quarter of 2018, unchanged from the previous period. The number of unemployed increased by 100 thousand to 5.98 million and the number of employed rose by 207 thousand to 16.38 million.
Published on 2018-05-15

South Africa’s Jobless Rate Falls to 26.7% in Q4
South Africa's unemployment rate decreased to 26.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 from 27.7 percent in the previous period. The number of unemployed fell by 330 thousand to 5.88 million and the number of employed declined by 21 thousand to 16.17 million.
Published on 2018-02-13

South Africa Jobless Rate Unchanged at 2004 High of 27.7%
South Africa's unemployment rate came in at 27.7 percent in the third quarter of 2017, the same as in the previous two quarters and remaining the highest rate in 13 years. The number of unemployed rose by 33 thousand to 6.21 million and the number of employed advanced by 92 thousand to 16.19 million.
Published on 2017-10-31

South Africa Jobless Rate Unchanged at 27.7% in Q2
South Africa's unemployment rate came in at 27.7 percent in the second quarter of 2017, unchanged from the previous period's 13-year high. The number of unemployed fell by 37 thousand to 6.18 million while the number of employed declined by 113 thousand to 16.10 million.
Published on 2017-08-07

South Africa Jobless Rate At 13-Year High Of 27.7%
The unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 27.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017 from 26.5 percent in the previous period. It is the highest jobless rate since the first quarter of 2004 as unemployment rose faster than employment and more people joined the labour force.
Published on 2017-06-01

South Africa Unemployment Rate Down To 26.5% In Q4
The jobless rate in South Africa fell to 26.5 percent in the last three months of 2016 after reaching a 12-1/2-year high of 27.1 percent in the previous period. Employment rose while unemployment fell and more people continued to join the labour force, bringing the participation rate up to a new high since 2002.
Published on 2017-02-14

South Africa Unemployment Rate Rises to 12-1/2-Year High
The jobless rate in South Africa went up to 27.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016 from 26.6 percent in the previous period, reaching the highest since 2004. Employment rose faster than unemployment but more people joined the labour force, bringing the participation rate up to its highest since 2002.
Published on 2016-11-22

South Africa Jobless Rate Edges Down to 26.6% in Q2
South Africa's unemployment rate slightly decreased to 26.6 percent in the June quarter of 2016 from 26.7 percent in the three months to March. The number of unemployed fell by 1.6 percent and employment went down 0.8 percent.
Published on 2016-07-28

South Africa Jobless Rate at Nearly 11-Year High
The unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 26.7 percent in the three months to March of 2016 from 24.5 percent in the previous quarter and above market expectations of 25.3 percent. It was the highest reading since September 2005, as number of unemployed rose by 10 percent whereas employment fell 2.2 percent.
Published on 2016-05-09

South Africa Jobless Rate Below Estimates
The unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 24.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 from 25.5 percent in the previous period and below market expectations of 25.5 percent. It was the lowest reading since the last quarter of 2014, as number of unemployed went down by 4.2 percent to 5.2 million while employment went up at a slower 1.2 percent to 16 million.
Published on 2016-02-25

South Africa Unemployment Rises to 25.5% in Q3
The jobless rate in South Africa increased to 25.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from 25 percent in the previous period. The number of unemployed rose 3.6 percent while employment went up at a slower 1.1 percent and more people joined the labour force.
Published on 2015-10-27

South Africa Unemployment Rate Falls in Q2
The jobless rate in South Africa decreased to 25 percent in the second quarter of 2015 from a ten-year high of 26.4 percent in the previous period, as more stopped looking for a job and employment went up 1.3 percent.
Published on 2015-07-29

South Africa Unemployment Rate Jumps to 10-Year High
South Africa jobless rate increased to 26.4 percent in the first three months of 2015 from 24.3 percent in the precedent quarter. It is the highest rate since 2005, as unemployment rose 12.8 percent on quarter, while employment grew at a slower 0.9 percent.
Published on 2015-05-26