The scarring effects of adverse labour market outcomes on an individual’s satisfaction with life have not been widely investigated in South Africa. Findings by Moller (2007) and Ebrahim (2013) show that labour market outcomes are the most significant determinants of life satisfaction for the African racial group in South Africa. This study aims to further this analysis by examining the impact of unemployment duration, occupational level, and occupational mobility on the life satisfaction levels of prime
working-age (25–54) Africans in South Africa. Utilising all 5 waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), the study examines these relationships of interest by estimating both Random Effects and Fixed Effects ordered logit models. Findings
highlight that Africans who have been unemployed for long periods are less satisfied with life than those who are employed. At the same time, individuals at higher levels on the occupational skill level ladder have better life satisfaction than those at the
lowest skill level. Individuals who move up the occupational ladder enjoy greater life satisfaction than those who move down it. The study concludes that unemployment duration and poor-quality employment result in negative effects on individuals’ overall
life satisfaction. Policymakers should take into consideration the quality of jobs and upward occupational mobility when developing policies to mitigate unemployment and inequality in the country.