South Africa’s Labour Market at 30: Progress, Stagnation, and Structural Constraints

February 20, 2026 00:26:04
South Africa’s Labour Market at 30: Progress, Stagnation, and Structural Constraints
Economic Research Southern Africa
South Africa’s Labour Market at 30: Progress, Stagnation, and Structural Constraints

Feb 20 2026 | 00:26:04

/

Show Notes

Thirty years after democracy, South Africa’s labour market remains deeply strained. Despite major policy reform and rising educational attainment, unemployment remains among the highest in the world, with youth unemployment reaching 62.4% in early 2025. Racial and gender gaps in employment and earnings continue to shape economic inequality in South Africa. In this episode, ERSA’s host speaks with Professor Vimal Ranchhod, Professor of Economics at the University of Cape Town, about research examining South Africa’s labour market from 1994 to today. Using national survey data, the research traces long-run employment and earnings trends across race, gender, education, and sectors of […]

Other Episodes

Episode 0

July 22, 2025 01:01:27
Episode Cover

Beyond GDP: South Africa’s Sustainable Future

In this podcast, ERSA’s host sits down with Brent Cloete and Bradley Kent, to discuss their research on environmental policy in South Africa: From...

Listen

Episode 0

July 10, 2020 00:36:51
Episode Cover

Prof. Estian Calitz on Fiscal Sustainability in South Africa: what are the shortcomings we face?

Shortly after the Minister of Finance gave his Supplementary Budget Speech, ERSA’s host, Margaux G met up with Prof. Estian Calitz, an Emeritus Professor...

Listen

Episode

April 15, 2020
Episode Cover

Manoel Bittencourt on COVID-19 Economic Facts in South Africa

In this insightful video, Prof. Manoel Bittencourt, from Wits University’s Department of Economics and Finance, discusses the latest figures relating to the Coronavirus pandemic...

Listen