The unemployment rate remains unchanged

South Africa’s unemployment rate remains at 26.7% in the first quarter of 2018, from the first quarter of last year. 

Statistics indicate that the number of unemployed increased by 100 thousand to 5.98 million and the number of employed rose by 207 thousand to 16.38 million. 

The number of unemployed persons jumped by 100 thousand to 5.98 million from 5.88 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Employment grew by 207 thousand to 16.38 million from 16.17 million in the prior period. Jobs gains occurred in the formal sector (111 thousand), informal (93 thousand) and in private household (5 thousand) while losses were recorded in agriculture (-3 thousand).