- The National Youth Development Agency says economic growth of 1% is not enough to help young people find good work.
- Rising fuel and food prices will hurt young people from low income homes who already struggle with high transport costs.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) says the government must put young people first in its economic plans. The agency says current growth is not enough to help young people find work.
The South African Reserve Bank recently kept the repo rate at 6.75%. This decision came as prices for oil and gas went up because of fighting in the Middle East.
South Africa saw its economy grow by 1.1% in 2025. But the agency says this small growth does not improve the lives of young people who cannot find jobs.
Young people from low-income homes will suffer most from higher fuel and food prices. These families already spend a lot of money on transport and living costs.
“Economic growth is not reaching young people in a meaningful way,” the NYDA said.
The agency said the situation could get worse if the government does not take urgent steps.
Inflation is currently around 3%. But it is expected to rise because of energy prices. The agency says keeping interest rates the same is a careful move.
But this will not fix the deep problems in the economy. The NYDA wants the government to work together to fix these issues.
This includes building new infrastructure and helping businesses owned by young people. It also wants more programmes that teach skills and give work experience.
The agency said the government needs rules that fix the problems young people face when looking for work. It says economic recovery should focus on creating jobs. This will give young people a fair chance to take part in the economy.
Pictured above: The NYDA.
Image source: DA
