South Africa's Unemployment Rate Rises to 33. 6 Percent
August 11, 2026South Africa's unemployment rate rises to 33. 6 per cent. Credit: ReutersSouth Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 33. 6 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32. 7 per cent in the. . .
August 11, 2026South Africa's unemployment rate rises to 33. 6 per cent. Credit: ReutersSouth Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 33. 6 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32. 7 per cent in the first quarter, according to data released byStatistics South Africaon Tuesday. The statistics agency reported that the number of unemployed individuals rose to 8. 481 million between April and June, increasing from 8. 137 million in the previous three months. The expanded definition ofunemployment, which includes discouraged job seekers, also edged up to 43. 8 per cent. Read MoreRockfall Kills 14 Illegal Miners in South AfricaJob losses hit most parts of the economy, with employment dropping across seven of the 10 sectors that Statistics South Africa tracks. The community and social services sector shed the most positions, followed by mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, though trade, construction, and finance recorded modest job gains. South Africa’s unemployment rate rises to 33. 6 per cent. Credit: ReutersThe latest figures show that South Africa’s official unemployment rate has remained above 30 per cent for over five years, continuing to hit young people and Black women the hardest as the coalition government struggles to generate employment. Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations. Share the StorySouth Africa's mining sectorSouth Africa's Unemployment RateStatistics South Africa