The increase in the unemployment rate by more than 1% is due to job losses across most sectors, combined with the entry of thousands of matriculants into the job market at the beginning of the year.
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South Africa's unemployment rate worsened between the last quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, as the number of employed individuals decreased by 345,000, bringing the total to 16.8 million.
The increase in the unemployment rate by more than 1% is due to job losses across most sectors, combined with the entry of thousands of matriculants into the job market at the beginning of the year.
According to Stats SA, the unofficial unemployment rate came at 32.7% in the first quarter of the year. Sadly, the country's unemployment remains among the highest in the world.
Statistics SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) also reported that seven out of ten sectors lost jobs in the first quarter of the year.
Abigail Moyo, spokesperson for trade union UASA said they were concerned that the high unemployment crisis may worsen, as the country's economic outlook is currently unstable, driven by high fuel prices and other challenges.
"These economic crises might force more companies to let workers go as they struggle to cover operating costs amid high, unaffordable expenses.
In these challenging times, UASA continues to seek solutions through research and data using its South African Employment Report (SAER) and the UASA/BMR Employment Index.
The employment report and index provide valuable data and insights into employment trends, businesses, workplace conditions and labour market pressures affecting various sectors of the economy. This helps labour understand the country's employment dynamics and how to work with employers, stakeholders, and business owners to develop solutions, said Moyo
She said the unemployment figures were not merely statistics; but represented millions of South Africans facing uncertainty, discouraged job seekers who have lost hope and workers trapped in vulnerable employment.
"Thus, UASA believes that everyone has a role to play in addressing the unemployment crisis," said Moyo.