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Unemployment

Unemployment is the economic condition in which people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs. It is measured as the unemployment rate, which expresses the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the total labour force. The labour force comprises all people of working age who are either employed or actively seeking employment. Unemployment is a key indicator of economic health and social stability, reflecting the economy's capacity to generate sufficient jobs for its population. High unemployment rates signal economic distress, reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues and increased social welfare costs. Conversely, low unemployment typically indicates a robust economy with strong demand for labour. Unemployment can be classified into several types: structural unemployment, caused by mismatches between workers' skills and job requirements; cyclical unemployment, driven by economic downturns; frictional unemployment, arising from the time lag between jobs; and seasonal unemployment, linked to industries with fluctuating demand. In South Africa, unemployment has been a persistent challenge, with rates among the highest globally, driven by factors including skills shortages, slow economic growth, labour market rigidities and the legacy of apartheid-era education and economic policies. Governments typically address unemployment through job creation programmes, skills development initiatives, support for small and medium enterprises, infrastructure investment and policies to stimulate economic growth. Statistics South Africa is the official body responsible for measuring and reporting unemployment data in the country.

Unemployment News


Adult literacy – the foundation of integrated skills development in mining communities
17th July 2026

Mining companies have long recognised that skills development is essential to creating opportunities for host communities. Yet too often, community training programmes begin at the wrong point.... 


Koreshini Pillay, product manager at Lula
How manufacturing SMEs are funding Industry 4.0 on their own terms
17th July 2026

South Africa’s manufacturing sector contributes close to 11% of the country’s GDP[1] and was one of only three industries to add jobs in the first quarter of 2026[2], yet output has contracted for... 


MTN Foundation expands education and digital inclusion through R185m investment
17th July 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The MTN South Africa Foundation has invested more than R185-million in community development initiatives over the past three years. The initiatives focused predominantly on education, digital... 


ATI image
The Red Seal scandal that nobody in government wants to talk about
16th July 2026

Imagine training for four years. Early mornings, physical labour, classroom theory, practical assessments, and thousands of hours of hands-on experience. Then imagine passing your trade test – only... 


Why tomorrow’s drilling professionals need more than technical skills
Why tomorrow’s drilling professionals need more than technical skills
15th July 2026

(Virtual Showroom) As the mining industry embraces new technologies, evolving operational practices and increasingly complex projects, the skills required of young professionals are changing. While... 


Photo of Terence Creamer
Populist omen
3rd July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa is approaching the fifth anniversary of the deadly July 2021 riots and looting in an atmosphere that is again heavily laden with the threat of violence. It’s a fog made denser by the... 


IMPORTS TARGETED
Rebate provisions will also allow duty-free imports of steel products not manufactured locally, including certain rails, wire rods, pipes and heavy structural steel
Crisis prompts tariff hikes, calls for State-led revival plan
3rd July 2026

South Africa’s steel industry is facing an “emergency situation” driven by global overcapacity, surging low-cost imports and collapsing domestic production, which has led to government and... 


FRANCO D'ARRIGO
The steel industry is looking towards implementing alternative, sustainable and consistent energy practices as State-owned power utility Eskom is an inconsistent energy producer
Producer relies on forecasting, localisation to mitigate challenges
3rd July 2026 By: Keabetswe Shilakwe

Global overcapacity and price concerns are rattling South Africa’s steel sector, as flat domestic demand on stalled construction investment and a structural surge in cheap steel imports erode local... 


FourNomads: Bridging South Africa's Skills Gap Through Education, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnership
FourNomads: Bridging South Africa's Skills Gap Through Education, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnership
2nd July 2026

The challenges facing South Africa's mining and engineering sectors are not confined to slope angles, rock mass ratings, or geotechnical monitoring gaps. Beneath the technical complexity lies a... 


Why South Africa’s TVET system will continue to fail without industry at the helm
Why South Africa’s TVET system will continue to fail without industry at the helm
1st July 2026

The recent Sunday Times article written by Isaak Mahlangu titled ‘Why TVETs are failing our youth’ paints a bleak predicament. The article paints a picture of a system desperately trying to find... 


CREAMER MEDIA: PROJECTS IN PROGRESS 2026
Projects in Progress 2026
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

South Africa’s economy continues to face challenges, including slow growth, high unemployment and pressure on important services such as electricity, transport and water. New infrastructure... 


Waihi gold mine, in New Zealand
‘Pure’ New Zealand chases gold as record prices burnish allure
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

New Zealand is fast-tracking gold projects and courting mining investors as soaring bullion prices revive a sector long in decline, testing the country's "100% Pure" brand as the government looks... 


Engen marks Youth Month with graduation of 21 new artisans
Engen marks Youth Month with graduation of 21 new artisans
15th June 2026

Engen is proud to announce the graduation of 21 newly qualified artisans who have successfully completed an intensive three-year apprenticeship programme aimed at tackling youth unemployment and... 


Engen marks Youth Month with graduation of 21 new artisans
12th June 2026

Engen is proud to announce the graduation of 21 newly qualified artisans who have successfully completed an intensive three-year apprenticeship programme aimed at tackling youth unemployment and... 


Supply Chain Management Is a Future-Proof Career for Young South Africans
Supply Chain Management Is a Future-Proof Career for Young South Africans
11th June 2026

Global disruptions in recent years - including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, shipping delays, infrastructure challenges and rapid technological change - have highlighted how... 


Platinum crucibles.
Platinum’s the gift that just keeps on giving as global value-chain prospects resurface
25th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Platinum‑based equipment is critical for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics applications, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) in its 60 Seconds feature.... 


Artisan Training image
Why Artisan Training Institute is leading South Africa’s skills revolution
22nd May 2026

South Africa stands at a dangerous crossroads. Industries are crippled by severe skills shortages, while thousands of young people remain unemployed or underemployed. The National Development Plan... 


Thriving through uncertainty: why human-centred strategy is Africa’s competitive advantage
Thriving through uncertainty: why human-centred strategy is Africa’s competitive advantage
21st May 2026

By: Yewande Ayowole‑Oso - Talent Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric In a challenging economic climate, no organisation across Sub‑Saharan Africa is immune to shifting market... 


An illegal mine
Illegal mining more than just a law enforcement issue, research fellow says
24th April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

A presentation by University of South Africa (Unisa) Centre of Excellence: Adaptation and Resilience postdoctoral research fellow Dr Kennedy Manduna has challenged dominant narratives around... 


Magazine cover image
How mining companies are innovating to address sustainable tailings management
24th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As South African mining companies face environmental and legacy issues brought about by the country’s long and complex mining history, it is becoming increasingly important to adopt responsible... 


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pqt: 0.111s - ct: 0.167s - 275pq - 2rq
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