The world’s biggest unemployment crisis is right here in South Africa‚ according to economist Mike Schussler.
Delivering the UASA trade union’s 17th South African Employment Report (SAER)‚ he said the number of unemployed had increased from 6-million to 9.6-million between 2001 and 2018.
This was a 60% increase in the broader rate of unemployment‚ which had had a devastating effect on inequality and poverty in the country‚ said Schussler.
“South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where there are more adults not at work than adults at work.
“Along with other factors‚ such as single female-headed households‚ this low number of employed results in much of South Africa’s poverty and inequality.
“The magnitude of the crisis is the single biggest crisis facing South Africa. South Africa is the only country that our research finds has had a 20% plus unemployment rate for over two decades‚” Schussler said.
Schussler presented the UASA SAER findings‚ at the University of Johannesburg School of Hospitality and Tourism in Johannesburg on Monday.