Unemployment rate decrease is not impressive, says analyst

JOHANNESBURG - Labour analyst Tony Healy says the slight improvement in the jobless rate should not be confused with progress in the fight against unemployment.

South Africa's unemployment rate dipped from 32.9 percent to 32.7 percent in the fourth quarter. 

WATCH | SA's unemployment rate drops to 32.7%

However, considering discouraged jobless South Africans who are not actively looking for work, the country’s unemployment rate is 42.6 percent.

"We have almost 2 million more unemployed this year than 10 years ago and that is a frightening number," he said.

"We are not going anywhere fast and I think there is a reason for that, there simply isn't the intervention required to promote employment."