South Africa's official unemployment rate increased to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
The unemployment rate increased by 0.9 percentage points, rising from 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026 to 33.6% in the second quarter.
The latest figures highlight continued challenges in South Africa's labour market, with the number of unemployed people increasing while overall employment declined.
Number Of Unemployed South Africans Rises
According to Stats SA, the number of unemployed people increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million during the second quarter.
At the same time, the number of employed people decreased by 16,000 to 16.7 million.
The labour force therefore increased by 329,000 people, or 1.3%, over the quarter.
“There was an increase of 345 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.5 million, while there was a decrease of 16 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.7 million compared with the first quarter of 2026. This resulted in an increase of 329 000 (or 1.3%) in the labour force during the same period.
“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.
Which Industries Created Jobs?
Several industries recorded employment increases during the second quarter of 2026.
The largest increases were recorded in:
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Trade: 70,000 additional jobs.
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Construction: 39,000 additional jobs.
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Finance: 11,000 additional jobs.
However, employment declined in several other industries.
The largest decreases were recorded in:
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Community and social services: 57,000 jobs.
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Mining: 26,000 jobs.
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Agriculture: 15,000 jobs.
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Manufacturing: 15,000 jobs.
Formal And Informal Sector Employment
Employment trends varied across different sectors of the economy.
The number of people employed in the formal sector decreased by 41,000, while employment in the household sector declined by 9,000.
Meanwhile, employment in the informal sector increased by 34,000 during the second quarter of 2026.
Employment Changes Across South African Provinces
Several provinces recorded increases in employment during the quarter.
The largest increases were recorded in:
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Mpumalanga: 41,000.
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Eastern Cape: 13,000.
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Free State: 9,000.
Employment declined in other provinces, with the largest decreases recorded in:
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Western Cape: 48,000.
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Gauteng: 22,000.
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North West: 15,000.
Discouraged Job-Seekers Decline
The number of discouraged job-seekers declined by 227,000 to 3.7 million during the second quarter.
Other available job-seekers decreased 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.
The potential labour force includes people who are available for work but are not seeking employment, as well as people who are seeking work but are unavailable to start working.
The number of 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 declined by 208,000 to 17.1 million during the second quarter.
Youth Unemployment Rate Increases
The latest figures also show that youth unemployment remains a major challenge in South Africa.
Stats SA reported that the number of unemployed young people aged between 15 and 34 increased by 264,000 to 5 million during the second quarter of 2026.
At the same time, youth employment declined by 40,000 to 5.6 million.
As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4%.
“The results for the second quarter of 2026 show that the total number of unemployed youth (15-34 years) increased by 264 000 to 5,0 million compared with quarter one of 2026, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 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,” Stats SA said.
The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey highlights the continued pressure facing South Africa's labour market, particularly for young people seeking employment.
