The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) has set an ambitious target of creating 60 000 new and sustainable jobs per year and reducing the province’s unemployment rate to 25% by 2030.

Labour Market Snapshot (Q1 2025)

~ 43 000 residents lost their jobs in Mpumalanga between January and March.

Youth unemployment (ages 15–34) in the province reached 46.4%, surpassing the national rate of 46.1% .

Nationally, unemployment rose to 32.9%, an increase of 1 percentage point from the previous quarter

DEDT’s spokesperson, Silence Mhlaba, noted that pre‑2025 Q1, Mpumalanga rebounded strongly with over 62 000 job gains in late 2024

He explained that Q1 losses are often due to seasonal shifts and new graduates entering the job market.

Strategic Response:

DEDT, with support from public and private entities, will push forward catalytic economic projects aimed at inclusive growth and job creation, targeting poverty and inequality reduction

Recognizing that nearly 28% of employed residents work in the informal sector, the province is finalizing a provincial informal-sector policy.

Youth unemployment is a top priority. Efforts will focus on aligning skills development with economic needs, supported by infrastructure investment to stimulate larger-scale job creation

As Mpumalanga grapples with high job losses and youth unemployment, the province is ramping up economic strategies across formal and informal sectors to secure its ambitious employment goals.

Source: citizen.co.za