Relief in South African unemployment

According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey as published by Statistics South Africa on 7 February 2012, South Africa has achieved a significant victory in the fight against unemployment. The Survey points out that the number of unemployed persons declined by 4, 5 % (198 000) from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2011. However, compared to the previous year (fourth quarter of 2010) unemployment has risen by 2, 6% (107 000) during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Looking at the employed persons from previous quarter (third quarter 2011) to the fourth quarter of the same year, there is an increase of 1, 3% (179 000) jobs. Compared to the previous year the number of employed persons also increased by 2, 8% (365 000) during the fourth quarter 2011.