South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, rising by 0.9 percentage point from 32.7% in the first quarter.
The latest figures were released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2026.
According to Stats SA, the number of unemployed people increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million, while employment declined by 16,000 to 16.7 million.
The changes resulted in the labour force increasing by 329,000, or 1.3%, during the quarter.
“The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate (Labour Underutilisation (LU1)) increasing by 0.9 percentage point from 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026 to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026,” Stats SA said.
Employment changes by industry
Employment gains were recorded in several industries during the second quarter.
Trade recorded the largest increase, with employment rising by 70,000, followed by Construction, which added 39,000 jobs, and Finance, which increased by 11,000.
However, employment declined significantly in other sectors.
Community and social services recorded the largest decrease, falling by 57,000 jobs. This was followed by Mining, which declined by 26,000 jobs, while Agriculture and Manufacturing each recorded decreases of 15,000.
Employment in the formal sector declined by 41,000, while the household sector decreased by 9,000. Employment in the informal sector, meanwhile, increased by 34,000.
Western Cape among provinces recording job losses
Employment gains were recorded in Mpumalanga, which added 41,000 jobs, followed by the Eastern Cape with 13,000 and the Free State with 9,000.
The largest employment declines were recorded in the Western Cape, where employment fell by 48,000. Gauteng recorded a decrease of 22,000, while North West declined by 15,000.
Potential labour force declines
The number of discouraged job-seekers decreased by 227,000 to 3.7 million during the quarter.
Other available job-seekers declined by 49,000 to 861,000, while unavailable job-seekers decreased by 4,000 to 44,000.
As a result, the potential labour force declined by 280,000 to 4.6 million.
People outside the labour force for other reasons increased by 72,000 to 12.5 million.
Overall, the number of people outside the labour force decreased by 208,000 to 17.1 million in the second quarter of 2026.
Youth unemployment rises to 47.4%
South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis also worsened during the quarter.
Stats SA said the number of unemployed young people aged between 15 and 34 increased by 264,000 to 5 million compared with the first quarter.
At the same time, youth employment decreased by 40,000 to 5.6 million.
As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
The latest figures highlight continued pressure on South Africa’s labour market, particularly among young people, despite employment gains in sectors such as trade and construction.
The latest figures were released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2026.
According to Stats SA, the number of unemployed people increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million, while employment declined by 16,000 to 16.7 million.
The changes resulted in the labour force increasing by 329,000, or 1.3%, during the quarter.
“The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate (Labour Underutilisation (LU1)) increasing by 0.9 percentage point from 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026 to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026,” Stats SA said.
Employment changes by industry
Employment gains were recorded in several industries during the second quarter.
Trade recorded the largest increase, with employment rising by 70,000, followed by Construction, which added 39,000 jobs, and Finance, which increased by 11,000.
However, employment declined significantly in other sectors.
Community and social services recorded the largest decrease, falling by 57,000 jobs. This was followed by Mining, which declined by 26,000 jobs, while Agriculture and Manufacturing each recorded decreases of 15,000.
Employment in the formal sector declined by 41,000, while the household sector decreased by 9,000. Employment in the informal sector, meanwhile, increased by 34,000.
Western Cape among provinces recording job losses
Employment gains were recorded in Mpumalanga, which added 41,000 jobs, followed by the Eastern Cape with 13,000 and the Free State with 9,000.
The largest employment declines were recorded in the Western Cape, where employment fell by 48,000. Gauteng recorded a decrease of 22,000, while North West declined by 15,000.
Potential labour force declines
The number of discouraged job-seekers decreased by 227,000 to 3.7 million during the quarter.
Other available job-seekers declined by 49,000 to 861,000, while unavailable job-seekers decreased by 4,000 to 44,000.
As a result, the potential labour force declined by 280,000 to 4.6 million.
People outside the labour force for other reasons increased by 72,000 to 12.5 million.
Overall, the number of people outside the labour force decreased by 208,000 to 17.1 million in the second quarter of 2026.
Youth unemployment rises to 47.4%
South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis also worsened during the quarter.
Stats SA said the number of unemployed young people aged between 15 and 34 increased by 264,000 to 5 million compared with the first quarter.
At the same time, youth employment decreased by 40,000 to 5.6 million.
As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
The latest figures highlight continued pressure on South Africa’s labour market, particularly among young people, despite employment gains in sectors such as trade and construction.
