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South Africa’s Jobless Rate Hit 17-Year High Before Lockdown

Jobs losses expected to increase due to virus and restrictions
Unemployment rate increased to 30.1% in the first quarter

A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask walks by a restaurant unit standing empty and available to let in Johannesburg. — A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask walks by a restaurant unit standing empty and available to let in Johannesburg.
Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg

By

Prinesha Naidoo and

June 23, 2020, 9:33 AM UTCUpdated onJune 23, 2020, 10:15 AM UTC

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South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to a 17-year high in the first quarter, even before the full impact was felt of a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic that brought the economy to a near standstill.