South Africa’s unemployment rate edged higher in the second quarter of 2026, halting the previous quarter’s progress in the labour market. The jobless rate rose to 33.60% in Q2 2026, up from 32.70% recorded in the first quarter of the year.
The latest figures, updated on 11 August 2026, indicate renewed pressure on South Africa’s employment landscape after a period of marginal improvement earlier in the year. The increase in unemployment underscores ongoing structural challenges in the economy and highlights the fragility of recent gains in job creation. Investors and policymakers are likely to scrutinise upcoming data and policy responses for further signals on the direction of South Africa’s labour market and broader economic trajectory.
