It was recorded in 2024, the previous year that Durban enjoyed an increase in over 70k jobs. This is the lowest unemployment rate among South Africa’s metros, recording a significant drop in unemployment. Durban’s data shows it has the highest employment rate and lowest unemployment among the country’s major metros. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the city saw a net gain of 70 000 jobs in 2024, signalling strong economic recovery and resilience. The city of eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal said the report assessed labour market performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, (Q4 2024), and highlighted Durban’s employment growth from 12 63000 in Q4 2023 to 133000 in Q4 2024.
Additionally, quarter-on-quarter employment figures increased from 1 321 000 in Q3 2024 to 1 333 000 in Q4 2024, reflecting a 0.91% growth within three months. The city’s unemployment rate significantly declined, dropping from 21% in Q3 2024 to 17% in Q4 2024 —the lowest in recent years. City Manager Musa Mbhele attributed this success to strategic initiatives and partnerships between the public and private sectors. “As Durban continues to position itself as a leading destination for investment and economic opportunity, the latest statistics serve as a testament to the city’s potential and capacity to thrive in a dynamic economic landscape,” Mbhele said.
The increase in employment in the job market is good news for the city. Lower unemployment rates for Durban means there is less need for destitution and vagrancy. It is good for the tourism economy. Durban’s high employment rate owes its success to strategic initiatives and partnerships between the public and private sectors. These partnerships were able to utilize the economics of the city. Its location, resources and people to the best of its advantage. This led to the attraction of investors to eThekwini. Durban as a city is constantly evolving to improve its standards of living. Its greatest challenge is to resolve the issue of crime. This will compliment local investments and economics.
“While Durban’s labour market performance in 2024 reflects strong employment growth and a declining official unemployment rate, addressing the rising number of discouraged work-seekers is crucial. With sustained efforts and strategic interventions, Durban aims to further enhance its reputation as a premier business and employment hub in South Africa,” said Mbhele. Nonceba Mhlauli, the deputy minister in the Presidency, welcomed the results, adding that it revealed a positive trend in the labour force, with a decline in the unemployment rate. According to the results, there was an increase of 132 000 in the number of employed persons to 17.1 million while there was a decrease of 20 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.0 million. This resulted in an increase of 112 000 (up by 0.4%) in the labour force during the same period.
The dynamics of Durban’s chances of becoming an international hub of premier business, investment, and employment are favourable. eThekwini municipality is situated on the east coast and is a major port for the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The government at national, provincial, and regional levels is focused on assisting municipalities like eThekwini to achieve their greatest potential and success. Durban is itself a major port. However, keeping a job in South Africa is a major responsibility and in Durban the Municipality has a long way to go to improve the city’s overall employment prospects. Prosperity and stability require effort to improve opportunities within Durban and the rest of the wider province. The increase in the labour force also means there should be an improvement in housing development as well.
The Municipality also needs to invest in education and the conservation of the environment. Then it will be a truly successful city.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
