Zambia’s unemployment rate drops to 12 % from 12.6%

By Ruth Chayinda

The latest Labour Force Survey has shown that the country has recorded a reduction in the unemployment rate.

The 2023 survey report shows that Zambia has recorded an increase in the employment to population ratio meaning that more people are now entering the labour market.

Zamstats Principal Statistician GERSON BANDA says the unemployment rate has reduced from 12.6 percent to 12 percent with youth unemployment reducing from 27.6 percent to 26.4 percent.

Speaking during the commemoration of the African Statistics week , Mr. BANDA said currently, the country has about 4.5 million people  in the labour force against the working age population of over 11 million people.

And Labour Minister BRENDA TAMBATAMBA said Government is however still concerned with the unemployment rate which she said has remained relatively high especially among the youth

In a speech read for her by Director Social security ANTHONY DUMINGU, Ms. TAMBATAMBA however said that the Government has put in place various opportunities for the youths which they could tap into such as skills development and bursaries among others.

And speaking when he officiated at the event, Finance Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE called for professionalism in the collection and dissemination of statistics as it is cardinal for the country’s development.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said institutions with the responsibility to gather data should accurately and timely provide information as it is crucial for planning and budgeting.