South Africa’s unemployment rate has climbed to 33.6%, with the latest labour force figures showing a rise in the number of people without work. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for April to June 2026, the official unemployment rate increased from 32.7% in the first quarter. The employment-to-population ratio also edged lower to 39.6%, highlighting the continued difficulty many working-age South Africans face in finding employment. The latest figures underline the uneven performance of South Africa’s labour market, with job creation in some sectors failing to compensate for losses elsewhere. Millions remain outside employmentThe latest unemployment figures come against the backdrop of South Africa’s persistently high levels of joblessness, particularly among young people.