Mozambique’s Unemployment Rate Rises 1.8% in Q4 2024

In Q4 2024, Mozambique’s unemployment rose by 1.8% to 190,558 individuals. The majority of jobseekers were seeking their first employment, with regional disparities evident in unemployment rates. Job registrations decreased by 13.7% while foreign labor hiring increased by 2.1%. The report also highlights a rise in suspensions of illegal foreign workers, particularly in Maputo.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Mozambique experienced a notable rise in unemployment, increasing by 1.8% from the previous quarter. This development resulted in a total of 190,558 individuals being classified as unemployed, compared to 187,149 in the third quarter, as announced by the government.

According to the Labour Market Information Bulletin released by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, 91,215 individuals were reported seeking their first job in the final quarter of 2024, while the remainder were in search of new employment opportunities. Unemployment distribution by region indicates that the central region has the highest rate at 36.1%, followed by the southern region at 33.4%, and the northern region at 30.5%. The report also highlights gender disparities in unemployment, with the southern region having 38.1% of female jobseekers, the central region at 36.9%, and the northern region at 25.0%.

The bulletin reveals that 47.9% of the registered unemployed individuals were seeking their first job, with Nampula province having the highest proportion at 22.9%, followed by Tete at 14% and Zambézia at 11.5%. Conversely, new job registrations decreased by 13.7%, totaling 103,834 new jobs in the last quarter, down from 120,252 in the previous quarter. The central region accounted for the largest percentage of job registrations at 43.6%, while the northern region contributed 30.8% and the southern region 25.6%. Notably, Nampula, Sofala, and Gaza provinces reported the highest job percentages.

Female representation among registered jobs stood at 33.3%. There was a 2.1% increase in foreign labor hiring, reflecting a rise from 5,316 to 5,426 foreign workers. The wholesale and retail trade sector registered the highest demand for foreign labor, comprising 43.8%, followed by construction (14.8%) and mining (11.5%).

The bulletin also highlighted a concerning increase in illegal foreign labor with 22 suspensions recorded in the last quarter, which is a 29.4% rise from 17 cases in the previous quarter. Maputo city recorded the highest incidence at 11 cases, and the sectors most involved in these violations included commerce, restaurants, and hotels, which constituted 63.6% of the suspended workers.

The recent data from Mozambique’s Labour Market Information Bulletin underscores a rise in unemployment in the fourth quarter of 2024 and calls attention to regional disparities and gender differences in job seeking. Although new job registrations have declined, there is evidence of increased hiring for foreign labor, alongside a concerning rise in the suspension of illegal foreign workers. These trends warrant further consideration regarding the country’s employment strategies and labor policies.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com