The latest report by Stats has
revealed an increase in South Africa's official unemployment rate.
Stats SA
reports an increase in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the first
quarter. According to data released by Statistics South Africa, the number of
unemployed individuals increased to roughly 8.5 million.
South Africa’s official
unemployment rate increased from 32.7% in the first quarter to 33.6% in the second quarter. This means
that about one in three people in the labour force were unemployed.
Key changes during the
quarter:
- Unemployed people increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million.
- Employment decreased by 16,000 to 16.7 million.
- The overall labour force grew by
329,000 to around 25.2 million.
According to stats SA, the
number of discouraged job-seekers fell by 227,000 to 3.7 million.
The potential labour force
decreased by 280,000 to 4.6 million.
The number of people outside
the labour force decreased by 208,000 to 17.1 million.
In a nutshell, the second
quarter of 2026 saw a deterioration in employment, with unemployment rising
significantly despite fewer discouraged job-seekers. The figures indicate that
South Africa continues to face crucial labour-market challenges.
Done by: Nia Damoense