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Underemployment in South Africa

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  • Rochelle Beukes
  • Tina Fransman
  • Simba Murozvi
  • Derek Yu

Abstract

With the introduction of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey since 2008, a newly derived variable, namely underemployed, has become available. It is derived according to the ‘time-related’ approach (i.e. those who are employed, but would like to work longer hours and are available to work longer hours in the near future). However, underemployment could also be derived according to the ‘inadequate employment situations’ approach (e.g. under-utilisation of skills, over-qualification). Because underemployment is a seriously under-researched topic in South Africa, this article investigates the extent of underemployment according to these two definitions, before examining whether the characteristics of the two groups of underemployed are significantly different.

Suggested Citation

  • Rochelle Beukes & Tina Fransman & Simba Murozvi & Derek Yu, 2017. "Underemployment in South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 33-55, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:34:y:2017:i:1:p:33-55
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2016.1269634
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Francois Meyer & Precious Mncayi, 2021. "An Analysis of Underemployment among Young Graduates: The Case of a Higher Education Institution in South Africa," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Nicholas Ngepah & Regina Conselho Mwiinga, 2022. "The Impact of Climate Change on Gender Inequality in the Labour Market: A Case Study of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-28, October.
    3. Vlad I. ROȘCA & Oana-Lorena ȚEPOSU, 2018. "The Influence of Education on Subjective Underemployment: Research on Multinational Corporations in Romania," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(4), pages 328-340, October.

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    JEL classification:

    • J00 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - General

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