Youth unemployment 'an economic time bomb'

APPROXIMATELY 10 million South Africans aged 15 to 24 face the highest barriers to entering the workforce, with unemployment figures significantly outpacing those of older youth, resulting in dire consequences for the country’s economic growth.

- NICOLA MAWSON

"For many young South Africans, landing a job is more than just a milestone, it is a crucial step toward economic independence and inclusion. Yet for millions, this first step remains out of reach," Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said this week.

Veteran business commentator, Adrian Schofield, said that the "growth in the proportion of unemployed young people is a direct obstacle to growth in the country's economy". He added that this sort of situation led to more crime, which would also dissuade investment.

Recent research by Stats SA, which further breaks down its Quarterly Labour Force Survey released on Tuesday, showed that half of those aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in 2015. Ten years later, and this number has jumped to 62.4%.

South Africans can legally start working at 15.