Young people under the age of 35 make up half of South Africa’s working-age population. Yet only an estimated 6-million young people out of a potential 21-million are employed, according to Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for July to September 2024.

The 60.2% unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 is far higher than the global average, which the International Labour Organization estimates at 13%.

The unemployment rate is the percentage of the labour force that is unemployed. But the labour force excludes people classified as not economically active – including students, home-makers, people who are ill or have disabilities, people too young or old to work as well as discouraged work seekers.

In the 15 to 24 age group, 73% are not economically active, which is expected as many are still in the education system. In the 25 to 34 age group, where the unemployment rate is 40%, about one in four are classified as not economically active.