PRESS RELEASE

 

30 March 2022

 

UNEMPLOYMENT

AN INCREASING DILEMMA

 

According to the latest unemployment data published by Statistics SA, South Africa’s unemployment rate now stands at 35.3%. According to the expanded definition of unemployment, the unemployment rate stands at 46.2%. Youth unemployment (ages 15-34) stands at 66.5%.

 

South Africa boasts the highest unemployment rate globally. We are followed by Spain (13.3%), Turkey (11.4%) and Brazil (11.2%).

 

Our current unemployment predicament means that 7.9 million people, who could otherwise make a constructive contribution towards the economy and in their local environments, are now either fully dependent on the state or family and friends. Many of them have resorted to crime.

 

South Africans are desensitised to these horrific unemployment figures. It seems doubtful whether the political leadership realises the extent of the danger presented by the current state of affairs.

 

Although the ANC’s racial transformation policies, entrenched corruption, crime, bureaucratic inefficiency, the attack on property rights, and an overall unfriendly business environment, among others, are severely impacting on the unemployment scenario, the ANC does not have the ability to address it; they are ensnared by ideological chains, infighting, corruption and an overall administrative inability to effect any positive change.

 

ISSUED BY

Gerhard Papenfus

Chief Executive

NEASA

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Jeanne Boshoff

Media Liaison

NEASA

060 885 5612

media@neasa.co.za