South Africa’s unemployment rate rises to 33.7% in third quarter of 2026

South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026, up from 33.6% recorded in the previous quarter, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS).

The latest figures show that the number of employed people increased by 101,000 to 16.8 million between the second and third quarters of the year.

However, the number of unemployed people also rose by 97,000 to 8.6 million during the same period.

These changes resulted in an increase of 198,000 in the labour force, representing a 0.8% rise compared with the previous quarter.

The figures indicate that although more people entered employment, the growth was not enough to prevent an increase in the overall unemployment rate.

The survey also revealed an increase in discouraged job-seekers, with their number rising by 70,000 to 3.7 million.

Other available job-seekers decreased slightly by 1,000 to 860,000, while unavailable job-seekers remained unchanged at 44,000.

Consequently, the potential labour force increased by 69,000 to 4.6 million.

Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labour force for other reasons decreased by 150,000 to 12.4 million.

Overall, the number of people outside the labour force declined by 82,000 to 17 million in the third quarter.

The QLFS also measured other forms of labour underutilisation, providing a broader picture of the challenges facing job-seekers and those who are employed but want to work more hours.

The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment (LU2) decreased by 0.1 of a percentage point to 36.5%.

However, the combined rate of unemployment and the potential labour force (LU3) increased by 0.2 of a percentage point to 44%.

The composite measure of labour underutilisation (LU4), which includes unemployment, time-related underemployment and the potential labour force, remained unchanged at 46.3%.

These indicators highlight that unemployment remains a significant challenge, with millions of South Africans either without work, seeking employment or unable to secure the working hours they need.