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• Create Date February 19, 2025
• Last Updated February 19, 2025

Construction Labour Force 2008 - 2024Q4

South Africa’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 31.9% in Q4 2024 Amid gains in the Financial and Manufacturing sectors. Construction sector plummet by 22 000 jobs. 

In the fourth quarter of 2024, South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased to 31.9%, supported by Northern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Mpumalanga and moderate improvements in Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape. The unemployment rate in the Western Cape was unchanged at 19.6 percent.  The unemployment rate in the North West rose by 4.5 percentage points to 41.3 percent, the highest across all provinces following a steep contraction in the mining sector.  Free State also edged higher to 37.9 percent.  On average for 2024, the unemployment rate showed a marginal increase from 32.4 percent in 2023 to 32.6 percent.  Following a stellar performance in the construction sector during the 3rd quarter, the labour force fell by 22 000 (or 1.6 percent), with significant job losses recorded in Mpumalanga and Kwazulu Natal.  Tender activity showed a notable slowdown post-election period, into the second half of 2024, and this may be attributed to slowdown in construction job opportunities. Hardest hit was the informal sector, where 6.2 percent q-q (or 34 000 jobs) to 518 000. There was a moderate 1.5 percent q-q increase in the formal market,  or an additional 12 000 jobs to 841 000.  On average however for 2024, the informal market in the construction sector showed the strongest gains with an average 6 percent increase against a 4.5 percent contraction in the formal market.

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