Official data released on Tuesday revealed that South Africa’s unemployment rate has declined for the second consecutive quarter, providing a positive indicator for the economy ahead of next year’s elections.
During the period between July and September, the unemployment rate stood at 31.9 percent of the workforce, down from 32.6 percent in the previous quarter, as reported by the national statistics agency, StatsSA.
“The number of unemployed persons decreased by 72,000 to 7.8 million” during the same quarter, it added.
The notable increase in employment was primarily observed in the finance and agriculture sectors, as well as in community and social services.
The drop follows a 0.3-percentage-point decrease in the second quarter.
South Africa, having grappled with an extended energy crisis that adversely affected economic operations, is scheduled to conduct general elections in 2024.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since 1994, is facing declining support amid persistent challenges of poverty, inequality, and high unemployment nearly three decades after the end of apartheid.
The high unemployment rate has fuelled protests as well as anti-foreigner sentiment.
