Unemployment rate unchanged at 27.7% despite employment growth of 92 000

The unemployment rate in South Africa has remained unchanged at 27.7% in the third quarter of 2017.

Statistics South Africa announced the quarterly labour force survey today, revealing that the third quarter saw a growth of 92 000 people in employment.

In contrast, the numbers showed that there were 33 000 people looking for jobs over the same period.

The finance and other business services sector contributed the most to the growth in employment, with records of 68 000 jobs.

The sector was followed by community, social and personal services and transport, which gained 56 000 and 34 000 jobs respectively.

The manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries declined by 50 000, 30 000 and 25 000 respectively, altogether shedding 105 000 jobs.

Although the unemployment rate remained at 27.7%, Stats SA said it was 0.6% higher than the same period last year.

The latest figures showed that 6.2 million South Africans were currently without work.

Of the 15 million non-economically active people in the country, 2.4 million were discouraged work seekers.

The largest decline in the unemployment rate was recorded in Free State which was down by 2.6%, Limpopo down by 1.7% and Mpumalanga down by 1.6%.

Stats SA said that unemployment and education were the constant drivers of multidimensional poverty in South Africa, with the less educated more likely to be unemployed.

Those with an education level lower than matric contributed to 57.4% of the unemployed, making up an unemployment rate of 32.6%.

The youth (15-34 years) unemployment rate wast 38.6% which was 10.9% above the national average.

Of the 10.3 million young persons aged 15-24 years old, about 30% were not employed, getting an education or in training.