Unemployment in Mozambique increased by 1.8% in Q4 2024, totaling 190,558 unemployed. The central region has the highest unemployment rate. New job registrations fell by 13.7%, with 103,834 jobs reported. There was also an increase in foreign labor and illegal worker suspensions, indicating ongoing labor market challenges.
In Mozambique, unemployment rose by 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024, resulting in 190,558 registered unemployed individuals compared to 187,149 in the previous quarter, as reported by the government. The Labour Market Information Bulletin, accessed by Lusa, indicated that 91,215 individuals sought their first job in the last quarter, while others were in search of new employment opportunities.
The regional breakdown of unemployment reveals that the central region holds the highest unemployment rate at 36.1%, followed by the south at 33.4% and the north at 30.5%. Looking at gender-specific data, the southern region has 38.1% of female jobseekers, while the central and northern regions account for 36.9% and 25.0%, respectively. Notably, 47.9% of those registered were searching for their first job, with 22.9% specifically located in Nampula province.
The Mozambican government also reported a decrease in overall employment, with a 13.7% fall in new job registrations, totaling 103,834 in the last quarter, down from 120,252 previously. The central region registered the highest proportion of jobs at 43.6%, with Nampula, Sofala, and Gaza provinces having remarkable percentages of job creation.
Women represented 33.3% of all new job registrations during the quarter. Furthermore, hiring of foreign labor increased by 2.1%, with 5,426 foreign workers employed compared to 5,316 in the preceding quarter. The wholesale and retail trade sector highlighted the highest influx of foreign workers, while construction and mining followed.
Notably, there was a surge in the suspension of illegal foreign workers, with 22 cases reported in the last quarter, marking a 29.4% rise from the third quarter. The majority of these cases occurred in Maputo city, and a significant portion of the suspended workers was associated with the commerce, restaurant, and hotel sectors.
In conclusion, unemployment in Mozambique has experienced a rise in the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting significant regional disparities and demographic trends among jobseekers. The report indicates a downward trend in new employment opportunities alongside an increase in foreign labor hiring. Moreover, the rise in illegal work suspensions underscores ongoing challenges within the labor market. Addressing these issues is essential for future economic stability in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
