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Striking disparities in employment across South Africa: evidence from a new spatial database

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Public awareness of the unequal distribution of economic opportunities across the territory of South Africa has been hampered by limited information and analysis. This paper makes use of a new source of spatial economic statistics to illuminate key features of the country’s economic geography. We reveal the striking concentration of employment in cities and discuss both the quantity and character of these jobs. The metros have a more favourable and diverse economic structure than towns and rural areas. However, most have performed poorly over the last decade, thereby dragging down the national economy. The release of the new dataset should encourage further research on spatial inequalities and labour market dynamics.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/30763301

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Regional Economics and Spatial Analysis

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7108337352

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