On 25 June 2013 World Bank Private Sector Development Specialist Dr Chunlin Zhang said economic growth was the primary solution for unemployment in South Africa. Dr Zhang was speaking at the Economic Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship and Youth Unemployment in South Africa which was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) in Midrand. The dialogue, attended by more than 100 stakeholders from youth organisations, the business community, Non-Governmental Organisations and government institutions was hosted by the dti to encourage dynamic debate on contemporary issues that impact on our economy. Dr Zhang said issues of youth unemployment were not so different from the South African development challenges, and that the primary solution for high unemployment was higher sustainable and inclusive economic growth. “Higher economic growth has more potential in job creation and employment. While this can be achieved, growth cannot be at the expense of sustainability and the environment,” explained Zhang. He cited education and training as short-term solutions to unemployment and said South Africa’s most urgent challenge was the 56% unemployment rate of youth in the 15-34 year age range.
