Public Economics Conference 2026 Tackles Youth Unemployment in South Africa
From Tuesday to Thursday, the Ministry of Finance and the Government Technical Advisory Center hosted the Public Economics Conference 2026 under the theme “Counting the Crisis: Data, Evidence and Solutions for Youth Unemployment in South Africa.” The event brought together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to examine how improved data collection, rigorous evidence‑based analysis, and effective implementation can create genuine opportunities for the country’s young workforce.
Conference Overview and Objectives
The conference aimed to move beyond headline unemployment figures by interrogating what current data captures—and what it misses—particularly regarding informal work and the lived experiences of job seekers. Sessions explored lessons from existing employment interventions, the impact of technological change, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence on the future of work, and pathways for scaling successful pilots.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered an opening address, emphasizing the government’s commitment to evidence‑driven policy. A fireside chat between National Treasury Director‑General Duncan Pieterse and South African Revenue Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu highlighted fiscal and administrative dimensions of job creation. The keynote was presented by leading economist Haroon Bhorat, whose research on labor markets and inequality has informed South African policy for over two decades.
Key Statistics on Youth Unemployment
According to Stats SA’s quarterly labour force survey for the first quarter of 2026, the national unemployment rate stood at 32.7 %. The situation is markedly worse for younger cohorts:
- Unemployment among 15‑ to 24‑year‑olds: 60.9 %
- Unemployment among 25‑ to 34‑year‑olds: 40.6 %
- More than four out of ten South Africans aged 15‑34 are neither employed nor engaged in education or vocational training (NEET).
These figures underscore the urgency of the conference’s focus on data quality and targeted interventions.
Discussion Themes and Expert Contributions
Panels addressed three core questions:
- What does the current data capture and miss? Researchers highlighted gaps in measuring informal employment, underemployment, and the discouragement effect among youth who have stopped looking for work.
- What can be learned from existing employment interventions? Case studies from the Expanded Public Works Programme and private‑sector apprenticeship schemes were examined for scalability and cost‑effectiveness.
- How are technological change, digital transformation, and AI reshaping work? Speakers discussed both the displacement risks for low‑skill jobs and the emergence of new digital‑skill opportunities, stressing the need for upskilling pathways.
Tracey‑Lee Solomon, an economist at the Bureau for Economic Research, noted that forthcoming manufacturing data for May 2026 would serve as an early indicator of how firms have adjusted to recent oil‑price shocks and geopolitical uncertainty.
Broader Economic Indicators Released Alongside the Conference
On Thursday, Stats SA released several complementary datasets:
- Manufacturing production figures for May, showing whether the 2.9 % year‑on‑year decline observed in April persisted.
- May export and import unit value indices, providing insight into price movements for metals, minerals, and agricultural commodities.
- The 2024 annual construction industry report, detailing trade revenues, employment statistics, wage costs, and capital expenditure on new assets such as machinery and property.
These releases allow analysts to contextualize youth unemployment within wider economic trends, including sector‑specific output shifts and inflationary pressures monitored by the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.
Implications for Policy and Future Research
The conference concluded with a call for a coordinated data‑strategy that integrates administrative records, survey data, and real‑time digital traces to better capture informal and gig‑economy work. Participants urged the National Treasury to pilot evidence‑based funding models that reward measurable youth‑employment outcomes.
Abasa’s note on monetary policy highlighted that while lower oil prices may ease near‑term inflation forecasts, the Reserve Bank remains vigilant about second‑order effects. This macro‑economic stability is considered a prerequisite for sustained job‑creation efforts.
By grounding discussions in the latest Stats SA figures, expert analysis, and forthcoming economic indicators, the Public Economics Conference 2026 aimed to transform concern over youth unemployment into actionable, evidence‑informed policy.
