The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate (LU1) increasing by 1.3 percentage points from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026.
“In the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 178 000 to 3.9 million, other available job-seekers increased by 55 000 to 910 000, and unavailable job-seekers increased by 6 000 to 49 000, resulting in a total net increase of 240 000 to 4.9 million in the potential labour force population (i.e. persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking),” read the survey.
“Those outside the labour force for other reasons decreased by 75 000 to 12,4 million. Persons outside the labour force, which is the total of those in the potential labour force and others outside the labour force, increased by 164 000 to 17,3 million in the first quarter of 2026.
This is a developing story
- South Africa's unemployment rate rose significantly to 32.7% in Q1 2026, up from 31.4% in Q4 2025.
- Employment dropped sharply, highlighting ongoing challenges in job creation within the economy.
- The number of discouraged job-seekers increased by 178,000 to 3.9 million, while other job-seeker categories collectively rose by 240,000 to 4.9 million.
- The total population outside the labour force grew by 164,000 to 17.3 million in Q1 2026.
- The data reflects worsening conditions in the labour market, intensifying pressure on South Africa's economic stability.
"In the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 178 000 to 3.9 million, other available job-seekers increased by 55 000 to 910 000, and unavailable job-seekers increased by 6 000 to 49 000, resulting in a total net increase of 240 000 to 4.9 million in the potential labour force population (i.e. persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking)," read the survey.
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