Durban maintains lowest unemployment and highest employment rates compared to other metros
...

Date: 2025-02-20 15:33:01

Durban maintains lowest unemployment and highest employment rates compared to other metros

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 FEBRUARY 2025
 
DURBAN MAINTAINS LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT RATES COMPARED TO OTHER METROS
 
According to the latest findings from Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), Durban has emerged as the leading metro in job creation and retention for 2024, surpassing all other major metropolitan areas.
 
This translates to 70 000 jobs created and sustained throughout the year.
 
In addition to achieving the lowest unemployment rate, Durban experienced a remarkable employment growth, with a year-on-year comparison of employment figures highlighting a notable increase from 1 263 000 in Q4 2023 to 1 333 000 in Q4 2024. 
 
This reflects a net gain of 70 000 jobs over the 12-month period. This upward trend underscores the City's resilience and economic recovery, driven by growth in key sectors.
 
Furthermore, between Q3 2024 and Q4 2024, employment in Durban increased from 1 321 000 to 1 333 000, marking a 0.91% growth within the quarter. 
 
Concurrently, the unemployment rate saw a significant decline, dropping from 21% in Q3 2024 to 17% in Q4 2024, the lowest level recorded in recent years. While this decline in unemployment may indicate improved labour market conditions, a deeper analysis reveals a concerning trend—the rise in the number of discouraged work-seekers.
 
Discouraged work-seekers are individuals who are willing and available to work but have stopped actively searching for employment, often due to a lack of available opportunities or persistent barriers to entry into the workforce. 
 
In Durban, this group increased from 320 000 in Q3 2024 to 350 000 in Q4 2024, suggesting that while the official unemployment rate has decreased, part of this decline could be attributed to a shrinking labour force.
 
City Manager Musa Mbhele said the City’s strategic initiatives, combined with collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, have contributed to its remarkable performance in the labour market.
 
“As Durban continues to position itself as a leading destination for investment and economic opportunity, the latest statistics serve as a testament to the City’s potential and capacity to thrive in a dynamic economic landscape. While Durban's labour market performance in 2024 reflects strong employment growth and a declining official unemployment rate, addressing the rising number of discouraged work-seekers is crucial. With sustained efforts and strategic interventions, Durban aims to further enhance its reputation as a premier business and employment hub in South Africa,” said Mbhele.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.