Data from Statistics South Africa shows the official unemployment rate increased to 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021. It inched up by 0.4 of a percentage point from 34.9% in the third quarter. At least 7.9 million people were unemployed, an increase of R278 000. Five out of eight industries recorded formal sector employment gains. An increase in the formal sector employment was driven mainly by the Trade, Community and social services, Transport, Finance and Mining industries. Manufacturing, construction and utilities were the only industries that experienced losses in formal sector employment in the 4th quarter, compared to the third quarter of 2021. Informal sector employment decreased by 48 000 persons compared to the previous quarter. The losses in the informal sector employment were driven by the transport, manufacturing , community and social services, finance and utilities industries. The rest of the industries experienced gains in informal sector employment.
Earlier, we spoke to Statistician General, Risenga Maluleke.
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