S. Africa Jobless Rate Rises In Q1

(RTTNews) - South Africa's unemployment rate increased notably during January to March period, quarterly labor force survey from Statistics South Africa showed Tuesday.

The jobless rate rose to 26.4 percent from 24.3 percent in the fourth quarter. Economists had forecast the rate to rise marginally to 24.8 percent.

In the same period last year, the unemployment rate was 25.2 percent.

The number of unemployed increased to 5.53 million from 4.9 million a quarter ago. At the same time, employed persons rose to 15.45 million from 15.32 million.

The size of labor force increased by 766,000 to 20.99 million in three months to March.