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

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 […]