The Western Cape’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 19.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 19.6% in the previous quarter, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS).
The provincial unemployment rate has remained below 20% for more than a year and continues to sit significantly below South Africa’s national unemployment rate.
The Western Cape Government welcomed the figures, highlighting the province’s relatively strong economic performance despite challenging national and global economic conditions.
Seven of the province’s 10 economic sectors recorded year-on-year employment growth. The biggest gains came from finance and other business services (+41,000 jobs), trade (+41,000) and agriculture (+26,000).
The province’s labour absorption rate also improved by 1.1 percentage points year-on-year to 55.7%, compared with 39.6% nationally.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the decline in unemployment was encouraging, but stressed that more work was needed to grow the provincial economy and create jobs.
“Every decrease in the unemployment rate is encouraging,” Winde said, adding that the province would continue working to attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer also welcomed the latest figures.
Meyer said the Western Cape created 91,000 jobs year-on-year, while South Africa as a whole recorded a loss of 68,000 jobs over the same period.
“This achievement reflects the resilience of our economy, the determination of our businesses, and the impact of creating an enabling environment for investment, growth and job creation,” Meyer said.
He said the province would maintain its focus on attracting investment, supporting businesses, expanding exports, improving skills development and building infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.
The provincial unemployment rate has remained below 20% for more than a year and continues to sit significantly below South Africa’s national unemployment rate.
The Western Cape Government welcomed the figures, highlighting the province’s relatively strong economic performance despite challenging national and global economic conditions.
Seven of the province’s 10 economic sectors recorded year-on-year employment growth. The biggest gains came from finance and other business services (+41,000 jobs), trade (+41,000) and agriculture (+26,000).
The province’s labour absorption rate also improved by 1.1 percentage points year-on-year to 55.7%, compared with 39.6% nationally.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the decline in unemployment was encouraging, but stressed that more work was needed to grow the provincial economy and create jobs.
“Every decrease in the unemployment rate is encouraging,” Winde said, adding that the province would continue working to attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer also welcomed the latest figures.
Meyer said the Western Cape created 91,000 jobs year-on-year, while South Africa as a whole recorded a loss of 68,000 jobs over the same period.
“This achievement reflects the resilience of our economy, the determination of our businesses, and the impact of creating an enabling environment for investment, growth and job creation,” Meyer said.
He said the province would maintain its focus on attracting investment, supporting businesses, expanding exports, improving skills development and building infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.