Zuko Komisa
- The official unemployment rate dipped from 31.9% to 31.4% in the final quarter of 2025.
- Approximately 44,000 more people found work, bringing the total employed population to 17.1 million.
- Despite the dip, “discouraged” job-seekers rose by 233,000, hinting at a growing number who have given up the hunt.
The latest figures from Statistics South Africa suggest that 44,000 people found employment, bringing the total employed population to 17.1 million.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey reveals a modest victory for the economy: 172,000 fewer people are officially “unemployed” compared to the previous quarter.
For those who secured one of the 44,000 new positions, this festive season likely felt different, replacing the anxiety of the job hunt with the stability of a workplace.
While the official rate has cooled to 31.4%, the data suggests that many didn’t find jobs, but rather stopped looking for them.
These statistics represent more than just percentages; they reflect a nation in a delicate balancing act. The challenge for 2026 remains clear: creating enough jobs to bring back those who have given up.
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