Unemployment reaches a staggering record high in South Africa

9 May 2016

Today the Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that 8.9 million people do not have jobs, or have given up looking for jobs, in South Africa.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that unemployment increased to a record high with 36.3%, or 8.9 million people, unemployed in the first quarter of 2016.

It is staggering that 355 000 people lost their jobs in the first quarter of this year, especially when one considers that for every person who loses their job, approximately four people depend on them.

The fact that 8.9 million people do not have jobs, or have give up looking for jobs, cannot be blamed on external factors alone, and has much to do with the failure of government to implement the structural reforms necessary to boost economic growth and create jobs in South Africa.

Issued by David Maynier, DA Shadow Minister of Finance, 9 May 2016