Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Mlungisi Mvoko, welcomes and is pleased with the increase in the employment figures that have been recorded by the Province for quarter 1 of 2023.

This follows the release of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Quarter 1 of 2023 by Statistics SA today.

The results show that the number of employed persons in the Eastern Cape increased by 41 000 compared to quarter 4 of 2022. When compared to quarter 1 of 2022, the results show that 128 000 more people received employment in the Eastern Cape, year on year.

The new numbers in employment resulted to official unemployment rate in the Province decreasing by 2.1 percentage points from 42, 1% in Quarter 4 of 2022 to 40% in Quarter 1 of 2023, making the Eastern Cape to be the Province with largest decrease in unemployment numbers across the country.

The Eastern Cape also recorded the largest decrease in unemployment in the country, year on year, as the Province’s unemployment figures decreased, down from 44% in Quarter 1 of 2022 to 40% in Quarter 1 of 2023.

“It is pleasing to notice the decrease in unemployment in the Province. The results also indicate positive employment trends for the Province, year on year. This shows that our economic recovery efforts are yielding positive results, including the investments that have been coming to the Province.”

“This does not mean we are happy with the current unemployment figures, but it is pleasing to see consistent drop in unemployment numbers. We will continue with our efforts to improve our economy with much focus on sectors such as Agriculture and Agro-processing, Automotive, Manufacturing, Construction and Tourism,” Mvoko said.