Retail, construction, and community and social services were among the hardest-hit sectors for youth job losses in the first quarter of 2026.
Fewer jobs, rising discouragement and millions of young people outside employment, education or training are among the realities behind South Africa’s 54.65% youth unemployment rate, according to Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator’s latest Breaking Barriers quarterly publication.
The publication draws on the national Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Harambee’s income survey of 3,167 young people, SA Youth platform data and the lived experiences of young people navigating pathways into work.
The report follows the release of Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2026 in May, which showed that youth unemployment remained one of the country’s most urgent crises. While the official QLFS youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 34 was recorded at 45.8%, Harambee’s analysis of the 18 to 35 age group places the figure higher, at 54.65%.
According to the report, the youth unemployment rate is up by 2.22 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2025 and is one of the highest rates recorded outside the Covid-19 years.
