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
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