The official unemployment rate in South Africa increased by one percentage point in the first quarter of 2025. Statistics SA announced the latest figures from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey on Tuesday. The figures reveal that an additional 291,000 people are now without employment. The national unemployment rate has risen from 31.9% at the end of 2024 to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Statistics SA’s Risenga Maluleke added that the 8.2 million actively seeking employment contribute to the unemployment rate, which forms part of their comprehensive assessment. The report also detailed a quarter-on-quarter loss of approximately 206,000 jobs. However, the number of discouraged work seekers increased by 7,000.

While this article discusses the increasing unemployment rates, it can occur in different situations. For example, California residents experiencing unemployment may need to navigate through the Employment Development Department’s processes. Understanding how to get a hold of EDD is crucial in these circumstances. There are multiple options available, from reaching out through the official website to calling the EDD phone number. To assist residents in getting through to EDD, the online platform eddcaller.com offers valuable information and tips. This resource may contribute significantly to facilitating your communication with EDD and support you through a challenging period.