Unemployment rate · South Africa
South Africa Unemployment Rate
The South Africa Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in South Africa, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Quarterly
- Next release
- Currency
- ZAR · South African rand
- Central bank
- The South African Reserve Bank
Latest figures
The latest release for Q2, published on 11 August 2026, came in at 33.6%, up from 32.7% the time before.
Over the last 7 releases it ranged from 31.4% to 33.6%, averaging 32.5%; it has been rising for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Aug 2026 | Q2 | 33.6% | – | 32.7% |
| 12 May 2026 | Q1 | 32.7% | – | 31.4% |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Q4 | 31.4% | – | 31.9% |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Q3 | 31.9% | – | 33.2% |
| 12 Aug 2025 | Q2 | 33.2% | 33% | 32.9% |
| 13 May 2025 | Q1 | 32.9% | – | 31.9% |
| 18 Feb 2025 | Q4 | 31.9% | – | 32.1% |
Why it matters
Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the South African Reserve Bank hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).
How it is calculated
Statistics South Africa usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.
Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployedWhat changes mean
- A lower rate than expected usually supports the South African rand.
- Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
- Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.
Higher than expected: A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the South African rand tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Lower than expected: A lower unemployment rate than expected signals a tight labour market: it tends to support the South African rand and push bond yields up.
A short history
Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.
Questions
What is the South Africa Unemployment Rate?
The South Africa Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in South Africa, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
What was the latest South Africa Unemployment Rate?
33.6% for Q2, published on 11 August 2026.
When is the next South Africa Unemployment Rate?
On Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 09:30 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.