South Africa unemployment rises to 33.6% as youth joblessness climbs

South Africa's unemployment rate rose to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 345,000 to a total of 8.5 million, while employment saw a slight decline of 16,000.

The youth demographic is particularly affected. Unemployment among those aged 15 to 34 reached 47.4%, meaning nearly half of young job-seekers are unable to find work. Furthermore, 36.4% of South Africans aged 15 to 24 are classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training), a figure that rose by 1.2 percentage points in a single quarter.

Gender disparities remain evident, with female unemployment standing at 37.5% compared to 30.3% for men. The National Youth Development Agency noted that these figures suggest an economy failing to create sufficient opportunities to absorb willing workers. Analysts also point to how geopolitical tensions and foreign policy can exacerbate these domestic issues by impacting oil prices, shipping routes, and inflation.