Unemployment rate rises to 33.7% in Q3 2026: the key numbers
Stats SA says South Africa's official unemployment rate edged up to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026. Jobs grew by 101,000, but more people were looking for work. The numbers by industry and province.
South Africa's official unemployment rate rose slightly to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026, up from 33.6% in the second quarter, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Stats SA).
The number of people with jobs grew by 101,000 to 16.8 million between July and September. But the number of unemployed people also grew, by 97,000 to 8.6 million, as more people entered the labour force (Stats SA).
The headline numbers
| Measure | Q2 2026 | Q3 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Official unemployment rate | 33.6% | 33.7% |
| Expanded rate (includes people who want work but stopped looking) | 43.8% | 44.0% |
| Youth unemployment rate (15 to 34) | 47.4% | 47.3% |
| Employed people | 16.7 million | 16.8 million |
| Unemployed people | 8.5 million | 8.6 million |
| Discouraged job-seekers | 3.6 million | 3.7 million |
Sources: Stats SA Q3 release, Stats SA Q2 release. The expanded rate is what Stats SA calls LU3.
The rate has now risen two quarters in a row. It was 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026 (Stats SA).
Which industries gained and lost jobs?
Formal sector jobs rose by 268,000 to 12.3 million. Jobs in the informal sector fell by 98,000, and jobs in private households fell by 68,000 (Stats SA).
| Biggest job gains | Change | Biggest job losses | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance | +111,000 | Private households | 68,000 fewer |
| Manufacturing | +33,000 | Agriculture | 34,000 fewer |
| Mining | +31,000 | Construction | 8,000 fewer |
Source: Stats SA.
Which provinces gained and lost jobs?
| Province | Change in employment |
|---|---|
| Western Cape | +48,000 |
| North West | +45,000 |
| Eastern Cape | +36,000 |
| Gauteng | +25,000 |
| Mpumalanga | 30,000 fewer |
| Free State | 34,000 fewer |
Source: Stats SA.
What happened to youth unemployment?
It dipped by 0.1 of a percentage point to 47.3%. The number of unemployed young people aged 15 to 34 fell by 23,000 to 5.0 million, while the number of employed young people fell by 5,000 to 5.5 million (Stats SA).
What is a discouraged job-seeker?
It's someone who wants a job and is available to work but has stopped looking. They are not counted in the official 33.7% rate, which only includes people who actively looked for work. Their number rose by 70,000 to 3.7 million this quarter, which is part of why the expanded rate went up to 44.0% (Stats SA).
FAQ
What is South Africa's unemployment rate in Q3 2026?
Stats SA says the official unemployment rate was 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026, up from 33.6% in the second quarter.
What is the expanded unemployment rate?
The expanded rate, which also counts people who want work but are not looking, rose by 0.2 of a percentage point to 44.0%.
What is the youth unemployment rate in South Africa?
Youth unemployment for people aged 15 to 34 was 47.3% in the third quarter of 2026, down 0.1 of a percentage point.
Which industry added the most jobs in Q3 2026?
Finance added the most jobs, at 111,000, followed by manufacturing at 33,000 and mining at 31,000.