SOUTH Africa has thethird highest unemployment rate on the African continent – and the highestyouth unemployment rate — according to statistics for 2014 compiled by GoodGovernance Africa (GGA).
The organisation saidits conclusion was based on statistics obtained from Statistics South Africaand the International Labour Organisation.
“Only Mauritania,at 31%, and Lesotho, at 26%, had higher unemployment rates than South Africa in2014,” GGA said.
“South Africa isthe only country in Africa where more than half of 15 to 24-year-olds arejobless. Its 52.6% youth unemployment rate is the continent’s highest. Libya andMauritania had the second and third highest rates, at 48.9% and 46.6%,respectively.”
GGA said that Rwandahad the continents lowest youth unemployment rate of 0.7% followed by Benin andGuinea, both at 1.7%.
“South Africa’syouth unemployment rate jumped 16% from 45.3% in 2000, while youth joblessnessin 31 African countries declined between 2000 and 2014. Countries with thelargest drops were Ghana, Algeria and Tanzania, with decreases of 80%, 61% and38% respectively,” GGA said.
Researcher Karen Hasse said: “While manyAfrican countries are reducing youth unemployment, South Africa’s youth remaintrapped, dependent on hand-outs and unable to improve their lives. Withoutbetter education and business-friendly policies to encourage economic growthand employment, the country’s youth face a hopeless future. This could lead toescalating unrest. Last week’s xenophobic riots are partly a reflection of thishigh joblessness.”
Agencies
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