South Africa’s unemployment crisis is deepening, with the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026. The number of unemployed people has increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million, while employment fell by 16,000. The broader measure of labour underutilisation is now 46.3%, and youth unemployment has climbed to 47.4%.

The National Briefing · Aug 12, 2026 · 6m

South Africa’s unemployment crisis is deepening, with the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026. The number of unemployed people has increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million, while employment fell by 16,000. The broader measure of labour underutilisation is now 46.3%, and youth unemployment has climbed to 47.4%. To assess whether government has the policies, resources and political will to tackle South Africa’s unemployment crisis,

Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi - SAFTU General Secretary