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[File photo] Unemployed people line a street in Cape Town waiting for casual employment
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has bemoaned the recently released statistics on unemployment in the country.
Statistics SA (Stats SA) reveals that close to 300 000 jobs have been lost between January and March of this year. Youth unemployment remains above the national unemployment rate at 40.4%.
Addressing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet Lekgotla in Pretoria on Thursday, Ntshavheni says, “Cabinet noted the Stats SA labour survey issued on the rising unemployment to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, from 31.9% in the final quarter of last year. Stats SA explained that is also contributed by the number of new entrants into the markets as they graduate from their higher education training.”
“Five of the 10 industries that were tracked by Stats SA recorded employment increases, particularly in transport and finance. However, more jobs were lost in the trade and construction sectors, and this is because of the holiday period as well. Cabinet remains committed to driving economic growth that creates jobs,” Ntshavheni adds.
VIDEO| Ntshavheni briefs the media on outcomes of cabinet meeting:
