South Africa – Unemployment at 25.5 in Q2 with our counting the 2,419,000 discouraged job seekers

The unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percent between the first and second quarters of this year to reach 25.5 percent, Statistics SA said yesterday. 

The increase in the number of unemployed has resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate above pre-recessionary levels.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that almost 5.2 million people were unemployed. The unemployment rate increase was greatest among the coloured and white populations, increasing by 1.8 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.

The expanded unemployment rate, which also included people not actively seeking work, reached 35.6 percent in the second quarter. There were about 2 419 000 discouraged job seekers, down from about 2 425 000 year-on-year.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at  Unemployment stats released – Cape Times | IOL.co.za.