UASA Media Release: 18 February 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
The recorded decline in the official unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 is a welcome and pleasing outlook towards the high unemployment crisis that our country is facing.
The employment figures coming ahead of the National Budget tomorrow prove that the industry sectors in our economy are trying their best to address high unemployment. This calls for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to step up and assist with financial plans and strategies to combat the crisis.
Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) shows an increase of 132,000 in employed persons to 17,1 million in Q4:2024, while the number of unemployed persons decreased by 20,000 to 8,0 million.
The number of discouraged work-seekers increased by 111,000 (3, 3%), and those who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 93,000 (0, 7%) between the third and fourth quarters of 2024, leading to an increase of 18,000 in the not economically active population to 16, 5 million.
The above changes in employment and unemployment numbers brought the official unemployment rate down by 0, 2 of a percentage point from 32, 1% in the third quarter of 2024 to 31, 9% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Although the employment figures are improving, unemployed youth remain a primary concern. Without decisive action from the government, the future will remain gloomy, and there is no hope of elevating the impoverished.
UASA reiterates its call on the government to take the increased unemployment rate seriously. It presents a dark picture for our country and
economy, and without proper solutions, the future of our people is in jeopardy.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.