Unemployment Rises to Highest Point in 4 Years

Statement by Geordin Hill-Lewis – Leader of the Democratic Alliance:

Following the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released today, it is clear that South Africa’s jobs crisis is worsening, not improving. Economic reform is happening far too slowly to spur growth at the pace required to create jobs. South Africa does not lack economic potential. It lacks urgency.

The DA will continue to push for much greater urgency and ambition in the economic reform agenda of the Government of National Unity. South Africa cannot afford to lose another quarter to slow reform. We need urgency, clear priorities and a relentless focus on growth and jobs.

Businesses and investors are still held back by red tape, unreliable basic services, failing ports and rail, and crime that makes it harder and more expensive to build, invest and employ people.

South Africa’s central national mission must be to get the economy growing at significantly faster pace to get people into work. Reform cannot continue at a pace completely disconnected from the scale of the unemployment crisis. Growth cannot be one priority among many. It must be the priority.

The number of unemployed South Africans increased by 345,000 to 8.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, while employment declined by a further 16,000. Official unemployment increased from 32.7% to 33.6%, while the broader measure of unemployment and the potential labour force rose to 43.8%. This is the highest unemployment rate in 4 years.