Unemployment Rate Falls to 31.9% But Youth Joblessness Remains Critical

South Africa's official unemployment rate declined to 31.9% in the first quarter of 2026, down from 32.9% in Q4 2025, according to Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey.

The improvement was driven by increased employment in construction and retail, but the expanded unemployment rate—which includes discouraged work seekers—remains stuck at 41.2%.

Youth unemployment remains the most pressing challenge, with 67% of 15-24 year-olds and 45% of 25-34 year-olds unable to find work. The government's Youth Employment Service program has placed only 180,000 participants since its 2018 launch, against a target of one million.