SA's new unemployment rate is out tomorrow. Here's what to watch
Stats SA releases the Q3 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey on Tuesday, 10 November at 11:00. Unemployment was 33.6% last quarter, with 8.5 million people out of work.
Stats SA releases its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the third quarter of 2026 on Tuesday, 10 November, with the presentation starting at 11:00. That's when South Africa learns whether the official unemployment rate has moved from the 33.6% it hit in the second quarter. The numbers cover July to September 2026. (Stats SA advisory)
When and where will the figures be released?
According to Stats SA's media advisory, the release happens at ISIbalo House, 1 Koch Street, Salvokop, in Pretoria. Journalists go into a lock-up from 10:30, and the figures are embargoed until the presentation starts at 11:00. Stats SA usually publishes the statistical release and slides on its website at the same time.
What did the last survey show?
The second quarter was a bad one. The official rate rose by 0.9 of a percentage point, from 32.7% to 33.6%, as the number of unemployed people climbed by 345,000. (Stats SA)
| Measure | Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official unemployment rate | 33.6% |
| Change from Q1 2026 | Up 0.9 points |
| Unemployed people | 8.5 million (up 345,000) |
| Employed people | 16.7 million (down 16,000) |
| Discouraged job seekers | 3.7 million |
| Labour force participation rate | 59.6% |
| Absorption rate | 39.6% |
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026 media release
Reuters reported that seven of the 10 industries shed jobs in the quarter. Community and social services lost the most, followed by mining, agriculture and manufacturing, while trade, construction and finance added jobs.
Which provinces were hit hardest?
Unemployment rose in most provinces in the second quarter. The biggest jumps and the only falls were:
| Province | Change in official rate, Q1 to Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
| Eastern Cape | Up 2.9 points |
| North West | Up 2.8 points |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Up 1.3 points |
| Western Cape | Down 0.1 points |
| Free State | Down 0.5 points |
| Northern Cape | Down 1.7 points |
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026 media release
What are LU1, LU2, LU3 and LU4?
Stats SA now reports four measures of labour underutilisation, so you'll see more than one headline number on Tuesday.
| Measure | What it counts | Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| LU1 | The official unemployment rate | 33.6% |
| LU2 | Unemployed people plus those working fewer hours than they want | 36.6% |
| LU3 | Unemployed people plus those who want work but aren't actively searching, including discouraged job seekers | 43.8% |
| LU4 | All of the above combined | 46.3% |
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026 media release
LU3 took over from the old "expanded" unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2025, so it's the number to compare with the expanded figures you may remember. (Stats SA)
What are economists expecting?
BusinessDay's week-ahead preview says the survey is expected to signal continued pressure on the jobs market. These are forecasts, not results, and the actual number will only be known at 11:00 on Tuesday.
Why does the number matter?
The QLFS is the main official measure of jobs in South Africa. Government, the Reserve Bank, investors and unions use it to judge how the economy is doing, and it shapes debates about grants, job programmes and budgets. A move of even half a point means tens of thousands of people either finding or losing work.
Where can you see the official results?
The release and presentation slides will be on the Stats SA website from 11:00 on 10 November. Reported will update with the headline figures once they're out.
FAQ
When is the Q3 2026 unemployment rate released?
Stats SA releases the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of 2026 on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, with the presentation starting at 11:00.
What was South Africa's unemployment rate in Q2 2026?
The official unemployment rate was 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the first quarter, according to Stats SA.
How many people are unemployed in South Africa?
Stats SA counted 8.5 million unemployed people in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 345,000 from the previous quarter.
What is the LU3 unemployment rate?
LU3 adds people who want to work but aren't actively looking, including discouraged job seekers, to the unemployed. It was 43.8% in Q2 2026 and replaced the old expanded unemployment rate.