How education levels shape job prospects for South African youth
As youth unemployment in South Africa surges to 46.1%, the Federation of Unions of South Africa warns of a deepening jobs crisis that demands a coordinated national employment strategy. young South Africans continue to bear the brunt of unemployment,
As young South Africans continue to bear the brunt of unemployment, data shows that education plays a crucial role in determining future job prospects in the country.
According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) from Statistics South Africa, the country's official unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 31.9% in the previous quarter of 2024.
The data also painted a grim picture for the country's youth, with the number of unemployed young people increasing by 151,000 to 4.8 million. While the number of employed youth declined by 153,000 to 5.7 million, pushing the youth unemployment rate up to 46.1%.
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