Young people, Black women continue to bear brunt of high unemployment rate – Stats SA

JOHANNESBURG - Young people and Black women continue to bear the brunt of the country’s high unemployment rate, as Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) takes stock of the latest figures.  

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the number of unemployed South Africans dropped marginally by 0.2%, bringing it down to 31.9%.  

This is the lowest unemployment rate since the third quarter of 2023.  

Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said the jobless rate still remains too high, with some groups still marginalised.  

"Black African women continue to be most vulnerable within the unemployment bracket, sitting at 38%. When we compare with the national average, which is 31.9%, we can see that they are relatively higher."