Reasons why some unemployed people in South Africa opt not to work

The most recent data from Stats SA highlights the extent of support needed by South Africa’s unemployed to make informed decisions about their future. In 2024, there were more than 8 million unemployed people in South Africa, a figure markedly up from 6 million in 2022. Statista says this is a rate of 33.5%, which makes South Africa’s unemployed the highest of all the G20 countries. A sad blemish on our bright emerging nation …

Despite the Department of Basic Education’s best efforts, South African school pupils only rank 41st globally. And are in the bottom half of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. The reflects in overt ways, too, like 37% unemployment amongst black South Africans. And 42% of South Africa’s unemployed being between the ages of 25 and 34. Moreover, joblessness is only increasing in the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.

SOUTH AFRICA’S UNEMPLOYED CHOOSE POVERTY

Digging deeper, five million of South Africa’s unemployed qualify as ‘youth’. While 18-million South Africans are considered to be living in poverty (on less than R38 a day). As we’ve already explored, nearly half of the population (roughly 30 million) receive some form of South African Social Security Agency grant. And there are only 8-million taxpayers to fund social welfare. And yet, ironically, many employers complain they’re struggling to fill available vacancies. But why?

Recruitment experts say there is a lack of candidates for semi-skilled positions in sectors such as IT, manufacturing and mining. That’s a large reason why local concerns like Ford South Africa and the Gift of the Givers endeavoured to give back to communities, by recently delivering 100 fully equipped math and science labs to underprivileged schools. The initiative is said to immediately benefit 20 000 kids, and as many as 250 000 students in the coming decade.

CHANGING WORK ENVIRONMENTS

Without the benefit of a proper education, the youth will be limited to careers in low-skill work like miners or heavy-duty manufacturing factories. Even something like call-centre operators, which is a typically low-skill job with even lower pay. This is why these jobs suffer from high rates of vacancy and absenteeism. It would appear the alternative to a low-paying job is rather facing poverty.

Moreover, recruiters say these problems will only get worse as companies turn to automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to fill low-skill positions people aren’t doing! Mechanising and robotics in many fields of manufacturing is increasingly becoming the norm. And AI will soon do the same to call centres, engineering, information technology, accounting and administration jobs.

Because of this already concerning skills gap, how will South Africa compete in areas such as technology, science and innovation in the future? Aside from rare outliers like the 100 math and science labs built by the private sector, the youth are not being given the chance to develop as they should. And if youngsters don’t even want the labour-intensive jobs that need filling right now, how will our next generation of leaders ever rise to the top?