Youth account for 60% of the Covid social relief of distress (SRD) grant applications submitted to the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa).
So far 4-million people have received R350 SRD grant payments out of nearly 5.3-million approved applications by July 19, Sassa said on Friday.
About 5% of applicants hold tertiary qualifications.
The grant was introduced to target citizens of working age who are not accommodated in the social assistance safety net.
Sassa said the high number of youth applying for aid correlates with the 63% unemployment rate in this sector of the population.
This “is a great cause for concern and the agency remains committed to playing its part in fighting unemployment”.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Young & jobless: R350 grant exposes extent of SA's unemployment crisis
Image: Reuters
Youth account for 60% of the Covid social relief of distress (SRD) grant applications submitted to the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa).
So far 4-million people have received R350 SRD grant payments out of nearly 5.3-million approved applications by July 19, Sassa said on Friday.
About 5% of applicants hold tertiary qualifications.
The grant was introduced to target citizens of working age who are not accommodated in the social assistance safety net.
Sassa said the high number of youth applying for aid correlates with the 63% unemployment rate in this sector of the population.
This “is a great cause for concern and the agency remains committed to playing its part in fighting unemployment”.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
A new generation wants a new kind of employment
Youth unemployment rate a huge mountain to climb but efforts are on the go, says Ramaphosa
Limpopo and Eastern Cape have highest numbers of children under 15
Tackling youth unemployment requires urgent multi-stakeholder collaboration
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos