SA joblessness crisis: Despite improvement, unemployment remains stubbornly high
13 November 2024
South Africa’s unemployment rate decreases marginally by 1.4 percentage points to 32.1% in Q3:2024. And although any improvement should be celebrated, the reality is this number remains stubbornly high.
8 million South Africans are unemployed, with no income to support their families.
In terms of the expanded definition, which includes the people who have given up looking for jobs, unemployment decreased by 0.7% points but still sits at a socially unsustainable 12.2 million people.
The unemployment rate among the Black Africans (36,1%) remains higher than the national average with Black African women continuing to be the most vulnerable.
There is also a disproportionate burden on the youth with approximately 3.5 million out of 10.3 million young people aged 15-24 years not in employment, education or training.
South Africa is stuck in an economic growth crisis, trapping millions of South Africans in unemployment and unacceptable levels of poverty, more especially young and black South Africans, we simply have no choice but to implement a Basic Income Grant.
As we have highlighted before, unless the country can achieve a sustained economic growth rate of 5% to 6% per annum, South Africa will not be able to meaningfully reduce unemployment.
Today’s report by StatsSA emphasize the moral and legal duty of the state to provide basic income support.
With the economy failing to generate jobs to provide people's basic needs, this becomes the State’s responsibility.
The numbers once again highlight GOOD’s concerns over the reckless decision by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s to cancel the R370 a month Social Relief of Distress grant next year.
De-prioritising assistance to millions of unemployed South Africans is an abrogation of the State’s Constitutional responsibility to support citizens unable to support themselves.
Addressing the basic needs and dignity of the millions who are excluded from the economy is not charity; it is about being fair and just, and it’s a necessity for the nation’s stability.
Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General, 12 November 2024
