Across South Africa, young people are encouraged by the government, NGOs and society to accept unpaid internships, precarious apprenticeships and low-wage jobs on the assumption that these opportunities will lead to better employment. Those who quit or refuse low wage jobs are sometimes derided by employers as “lazy” or “choosy”.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate has dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 31.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 32.1% in the previous quarter. This is according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday, 18 February.

When factoring in discouraged work seekers, South Africa’s North-West province has the worst unemployment rate with more people unemployed than working. South Africa continues to grapple with a severe unemployment crisis, with Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the problem.

South Africa's official unemployment rate fell in the final three months of last year, to 31.9% from 32.1% in the third quarter, data showed on Tuesday. Unemployment also fell in the previous three-month period.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate has dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 31.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The post South Africa’s unemployment rate drops, but 8 million remain jobless appeared first on SA People.