Millions of young South African's not in education or employment
Category: Employment and Education
Date: 18 April 2023
Date: 18 April 2023
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According to the latest quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) results published by Statistics South Africa there is a whopping 18.3 million people in South Africa of working age that is not currently in education or employment. And the worrying part about this number is that just under 50% of that is made up by the South African youth (those between the ages of 15 and 34 years)
This is a pandemic that will have consequences for the South African economy and social system for years to come. As large numbers of these youths end up turning to a life of crime and drugs to make a living and earn money. This should be the South African government main focus (once or should we say if they ever fix loadshedding) |
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South Africa's youths makes up almost 50% of those not currently in education or employment
According to the latest quarterly employment statistics there are around 18.3 million people of working age (15-64 years) that are not in education or employment (NEET). So 18.3 million people (a large part of them youths one would expect to be in school or post school education such as collegues and university) are not currently studying full time or working. That is a staggering amount considering the whole population of the country os ust under 61 million.
So lets take a look at the 18.3 million people in more detail. First up, what gender are they? Are there more males or females in this group?
So more than 50% of those in the NEET category are females, so a farely significant difference when looking at males versus females. Next lets look at the age categories for the 18.3 million people that are not currently in education or employment:
So 49.1% of the 18.3 million people currently not in education or employment are between the ages of 15 and 34. Basically the youth of South Africa. The next generation of South Africans that are to lead and take the country forward. Almost half of them are not currently studying or working. This is the single biggest problem the South African government needs to address. No jobs and no further education will ultimately lead to higher crime, more violence, fuller jails and a less productive society.
So lets take a look at the 18.3 million people in more detail. First up, what gender are they? Are there more males or females in this group?
- Females: 10 242 473 (55.9%)
- Males: 8 061 765 (44.1%)
So more than 50% of those in the NEET category are females, so a farely significant difference when looking at males versus females. Next lets look at the age categories for the 18.3 million people that are not currently in education or employment:
- 15-24 yrs:3 439 803 (18.8%)
- 25-34 yrs:5 546 401 (30.3%)
- 35-44 yrs:3 804 546 (20.8%)
- 45-54 yrs:2 725 012 (14.9%)
- 55-64 yrs:2 788 477 (15.2%)
So 49.1% of the 18.3 million people currently not in education or employment are between the ages of 15 and 34. Basically the youth of South Africa. The next generation of South Africans that are to lead and take the country forward. Almost half of them are not currently studying or working. This is the single biggest problem the South African government needs to address. No jobs and no further education will ultimately lead to higher crime, more violence, fuller jails and a less productive society.