16 June 2022 - Since South Africa began collecting statistics on youth unemployment, it has been observed that the percentage of unemployed youth has been increasing. The absence of labour in the realm of employment has directly affected the economic growth of the country.
According to the most recent article published by BusinessDay, the unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2022 is recorded at 42.1% amongst the age category of 25-34. This is an area of grave concern, keeping in mind that the working age population stands at a rate of 69.5%. The youth belonging to the age category 18-24 are ideally not expected to find work but to enroll in educational activities to further enhance their skills for future employment opportunities. A 24.9% participation rate from this category defies the claim and further proves that South Africa has a high number of unskilled labourers.
Economic growth static
The same report states that South Africa’s economic growth has been static since 1994 which can now change to a state of stagflation - a stagnating economy with rising inflation. The emphasis should shift to expanding educational resources and making them available to all. South African students are said to perform poorly on international benchmarking tests, implying that quality of education has to be improved.
The treatment of minorities, especially children and youth in South Africa has been alarming. In order to eliminate youth unemployment, South Africa needs to pay attention to its minority issues. You can find more information on fair treatment for minors and youth in South Africa here.