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November 10, 2026
South Africa’s third-quarter 2026 employment figures offer a mixed picture: Manufacturing and Mining added jobs, and employment rose in several provinces, yet unemployment continued to climb and came in well above market expectations. With the working-age population also growing and global trade tensions, Middle East conflict and uncertainty over AGOA adding to the pressure, the latest data raise important questions about the pace and sustainability of job creation. Read the full report for a closer look at what’s driving the numbers, and which sectors and provinces may be most exposed.

Employment Statistics in South Africa: 2026Q3

Quarterly Labour Force Survey review · Source: Stats SA QLFS

33.7%Unemployment rate (Q2: 33.6%; consensus: 32.5%)
44.0%Expanded unemployment rate (Q2: 43.8%)
+106 000Jobs added, to about 16.8 million employed
8.57mUnemployed people (+97 000)

The employment statistics for the third quarter of 2026 once again painted a sombre picture in some sectors, with job growth remaining constrained. However, Manufacturing and Mining added 31,000 and 33,000 jobs respectively. This is welcome news, given South Africa’s strained relationship with the US, one of its largest export markets, and the country’s expected loss of access to the AGOA initiative from 1 January 2027.

The unemployment rate rose from 33.6% in the second quarter to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026, exceeding market expectations of 32.5%. The expanded unemployment rate also increased, from 43.8% to 44.0%.

Line chart of South Africa's quarterly unemployment rate from 2015 to 2026Q3, rising from about 26% to a peak near 35% in 2021 and standing at 33.7% in 2026Q3
South Africa: unemployment rate (%), 2015Q1–2026Q3. Source: Stats SA QLFS

Total employment in South Africa increased by approximately 106,000 to an estimated 16.8 million in the third quarter. At the same time, the number of unemployed people rose by around 97,000, bringing the total to approximately 8.57 million. The working-age population grew by about 117,000 in the quarter, matching the increase recorded in the previous quarter and representing growth of roughly 0.3%.

Employment increased in the North West (+45,000), Gauteng (+25,000), Western Cape (+48,000) and Eastern Cape (+36,000). Decreases were recorded in the Free State (−34,000) and Mpumalanga (−30,000).

Employment by major sector

Employment by major sector (thousands)
QuarterTransportConstructionManufacturingFinanceTradeCommunity and social services
2020Q19951 3431 7062 5173 3203 759
2020Q28851 0661 4562 2342 9463 244
2020Q38781 0801 4602 4343 0083 381
2020Q49431 1661 4912 3123 0633 551
2021Q19031 0791 4972 5272 9793 567
2021Q29691 2221 4152 2483 0873 401
2021Q39641 1571 4022 3862 7783 191
2021Q49511 1331 3162 4042 8963 264
2022Q19601 0731 5792 3322 9943 546
2022Q29061 1771 5072 4603 1633 821
2022Q39391 2231 6302 3803 2453 849
2022Q49821 2121 6562 4843 2973 727
2023Q19921 2011 6542 6673 2693 902
2023Q29861 3041 5582 5993 3613 965
2023Q39661 3571 5082 8363 3904 084
2023Q41 0231 3221 5072 9643 3623 913
2024Q11 0621 2151 6062 9143 4713 791
2024Q21 0641 2041 6552 9053 3603 827
2024Q31 0471 3811 6352 7163 4694 021
2024Q41 0641 3591 6752 9483 4213 959
2025Q11 1311 2401 6773 0083 2283 914
2025Q21 1151 2591 6722 9833 3153 872
2025Q31 1131 3901 6102 9303 4243 988
2025Q41 1401 4251 5482 9623 3264 034
2026Q11 1111 3141 5872 9393 3203 828
2026Q21 1081 3541 5712 9503 3893 771
2026Q31 1241 3451 6043 0623 3913 792

Source: Stats SA QLFS

Outlook

Overall, the figures are sombre: the unemployment rate was notably higher than consensus forecasts, despite job gains in several sectors and provinces. This reflects the number of jobs created relative to growth in the working-age population. Discouraged workers are excluded from the unemployment rate calculation.

Ongoing international uncertainty, including the US tariff dispute with China and other countries, conflict in the Middle East, and concerns about the future of the AGOA agreement beyond the 1 January 2027 deadline, particularly South Africa’s exclusion, is likely to weigh on economic activity and job creation in the short to medium term. The Western Cape may be especially affected because of its exports to the US market. The US administration’s stance towards South Africa is also creating growing challenges for the province, as reflected in the latest employment figures.

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