South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.70% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.40% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. The latest figures, updated on 12 May 2026, indicate a renewed deterioration in labour market conditions after a brief improvement at the end of last year.
The shift marks a significant setback for Africa’s most industrialised economy, where joblessness remains one of the central structural challenges. The increase between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 underscores the continued difficulty in absorbing workers into formal employment and sustaining any gains made in previous quarters.
With the unemployment rate now back on an upward trajectory, attention is likely to focus on policy measures aimed at stimulating job creation and strengthening the resilience of the labour market in the face of ongoing economic pressures.
