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South Africa’s unemployment rate has risen to 33.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2026, as more people have stopped looking for work despite a rise in total employment.
Statistics South Africa released the figures on Tuesday, showing a slight increase from 33.6 per cent recorded in the second quarter. The data also showed that about 70,000 more people left the labour force after becoming discouraged by the lack of job opportunities.
Despite the rise in unemployment, total employment increased by 101,000 to 16.84 million during the July-to-September period.
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The finance, manufacturing and mining sectors recorded the strongest job gains. However, job losses in agriculture, construction and private households partly offset these gains.
The broader unemployment rate, which includes people who have stopped searching for work, also increased. It rose to 44 per cent in the third quarter from 43.8 per cent in the previous quarter.
The latest figures come after South Africa’s municipal elections last week, where unemployment emerged as a major concern for voters. The African National Congress (ANC) suffered significant losses in the polls, with frustration over job creation among the issues affecting public support.
The ANC-led coalition government, formed after the 2024 national election, has struggled to create enough jobs despite prioritising economic reforms and recording modest economic growth.
South Africa’s official unemployment rate has remained above 30 per cent for six years, placing it among the highest in the world. Women, young people and Black South Africans continue to face the greatest challenges in finding work.
