Despite South Africa's escalating unemployment crisis, KwaZulu-Natal stands out as the only province to record job growth in Q1:2026, adding 6,000 jobs.
SOUTH Africa faces a deepening unemployment crisis as the official rate climbs to 32,7% following the loss of 345,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2026.
Experts warn of the implications for social stability and economic growth.
According to the latest labour market figures, the number of employed people fell to 16,8 million during the first three months of the year, while the number of unemployed South Africans rose by 301,000 to 8,1 million.
At the same time, the working-age population grew by 121,000 people, highlighting the growing pressure on an already-strained labour market.
