South Africa: jobs and pay

Which province has the highest unemployment rate in South Africa?

The Eastern Cape had the highest official unemployment rate in South Africa in the second quarter of 2026, at 47.5%, and the Western Cape the lowest, at 19.5%, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released on 11 August 2026. The national rate was 33.6%.

Other provinces ranged from 28.7% in the Northern Cape to 38.1% in North West; Gauteng was at 34.6%. The Eastern Cape rate rose 8.0 percentage points over the year. Provincial estimates are based on smaller samples than the national figure, so quarterly changes carry more uncertainty.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is South Africa's expanded unemployment rate?

South Africa's combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (LU3), often called the expanded rate, was 43.8% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The official unemployment rate was 33.6%.

The official rate counts only people who looked for work. The expanded rate also counts the potential labour force, such as discouraged job-seekers, who numbered 3.67 million. Stats SA's composite measure of labour underutilisation, which also adds people working fewer hours than they want, was 46.3%.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is the youth unemployment rate in South Africa?

1.76 million people aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in South Africa in the second quarter of 2026 and 1.04 million were employed, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey. That works out to an unemployment rate of about 63% for this age group, against 33.6% for all ages. 36.4% of young people aged 15 to 24 were not in employment, education or training (NEET), 1.2 percentage points more than a year earlier.

Most people aged 15 to 24 are still studying and are outside the labour force, so the rate applies to a small share of the age group.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF)

How many jobs were lost in South Africa?

Employment in South Africa fell by 16,000 to 16.74 million in the second quarter of 2026 and by 68,000 over the year, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Unemployment rose by 345,000 to 8.48 million in the quarter.

Over the year, community and social services lost 101,000 jobs and manufacturing 100,000, while construction gained 94,000 and trade 74,000. The survey counts people, including informal and self-employed workers. Stats SA's separate Quarterly Employment Statistics, a survey of formal businesses, showed a 95,000 fall in formal non-agricultural jobs over the year to June 2026.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF) · Stats SA: Quarterly Employment Statistics, June 2026 (PDF)

How fast are wages growing in South Africa?

Average monthly earnings in South Africa's formal non-agricultural sector were R30,611 in May 2026, up 4.1% from a year earlier and 2.6% from February, according to Stats SA's Quarterly Employment Statistics, released on 29 September 2026. Annual consumer price inflation was 4.4% in August 2026.

Average earnings include bonuses and overtime, so they move with bonus season. They are an average across all formal employees, so a small number of high earners raises the figure above what most workers receive. The survey excludes agriculture and informal work.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Employment Statistics, June 2026 (PDF)

Do graduates find jobs in South Africa?

The unemployment rate for graduates in South Africa was 12.4% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, compared with 39.2% for people without matric and 33.6% for the whole labour force.

Graduates are people with a university degree. People with other tertiary qualifications, such as diplomas, also had rates below the national average, while people with matric or less had rates above it. Over the year, unemployment rose among graduates and matriculants and fell among those without matric.

Official sources: Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is South Africa's minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 4,777 ZAR a month (about $261). No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average wage in South Africa?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in South Africa was $485 a month in 2020. Its high point since 2012 was 2013, at $855 a month; its low point was 2016, at $224 a month. It is 2nd highest of 8 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $174 a month. World rank, highest first: 58th of 93.

What is the unemployment rate in South Africa?

32.4%: that is the unemployment rate in South Africa for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 34.0% in 2021 and the low 22.3% in 2007. It is 2nd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 2nd highest.

How many young people in South Africa are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in South Africa was 59.9% in 2025. The peak was 65.5% in 2021 and the low 43.9% in 2006. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and South Africa placed 1st highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in South Africa?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in South Africa at 55.6% in 2025. The peak was 56.1% in 2005 and the low 50.5% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; South Africa is 36th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 131st highest.

How many women in South Africa are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in South Africa was 49.9% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; South Africa is 33rd highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 113th highest.

What is the employment rate in South Africa?

37.6%: that is the employment to population ratio in South Africa for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 43.5%; its low point was 2021, at 34.3%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and South Africa placed 41st highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 160th of 174.

How many workers in South Africa are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in South Africa was 11.7%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 8.8% (2014) to 11.7% (2024). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; South Africa is 45th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 134th of 174.

What share of jobs in South Africa are salaried?

82.7%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in South Africa for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 85.9%; its low point was 2006, at 82.0%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; South Africa is 1st highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 47th highest.