South Africa’s unemployment rate has climbed again, leaving millions of people without jobs as the country’s employment crisis deepens. Image: PexelsSouth Africa’s unemployment rate has climbed again, dealing another blow to millions of people searching for work. The official unemployment rate rose to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). South Africa’s unemployment rate risesStatistics South Africa released the latest labour force figures on Tuesday, 11 August. ADVERTISEMENTThe expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged work-seekers, also remains significantly higher than the official rate.