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Official data released on Tuesday revealed that South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased for a second consecutive quarter, which is positive news for the country’s economy ahead of next year’s elections.

According to the national statistics agency, StatsSA, the percentage of the unemployed fell to 31.9 percent between July and September from 32.6 percent in the preceding quarter. The decline comes after a 0.3-percentage-point decline in the previous quarter.

AFP cited that finance, agriculture, and community and social services accounted for the majority of the employment gains.

General elections will be held in South Africa in 2024.