JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's jobs crisis has deepened once again.
The official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6 percent in the second quarter, highlighting the country's continuing struggle to create enough jobs.
Stats SA shows employment declined slightly during the quarter, while the number of unemployed people increased, pushing the jobless rate higher.
The labour force also grew as 121,000 more people entered the job market in search of work.
Although fewer people became discouraged from looking for work, labour market conditions remain weak, with many South Africans still struggling to find employment.
The data points to an economy that is still struggling to generate enough jobs, despite a growing working-age population and increased labour market participation.