Unemployment

South African unemployment.

The official unemployment rate from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey: the share of the labour force without work and looking for it.

Latest reading
33.6%
Q2, released 11 Aug 2026
Before that
32.7%
Q1
Next release
–

Unemployment was 33.6% in the second quarter, up from 32.7%.

UnemploymentThe last 15 months

  1. 33.2%Q2
  2. 31.9%Q3
  3. 31.4%Q4
  4. 32.7%Q1
  5. 33.6%Q2
PeriodReleasedReading
Q211 Aug 202633.6%
Q112 May 202632.7%
Q417 Feb 202631.4%
Q311 Nov 202531.9%
Q212 Aug 202533.2%

What it is

The official unemployment rate from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey: the share of the labour force without work and looking for it.

Published by
Statistics South Africa
How often
Quarterly

Why it matters for commerce

Jobs are incomes. Employment sets the floor under household spending, especially for value retailers, grocers and anyone selling on credit.

QuestionsGood to know.

  • Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, a household survey published every quarter.

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