South Africa Unemployment Rate

South Africa's unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in Q1 2025, from an over one-year low of 31.9% in the previous three-month period, as the number of unemployed individuals increased by 237 thousand to 8.228 million. Meanwhile, employment declined by 291 thousand to 16.787 million, and the labor force fell by 54 thousand to 25.015 million. The expanded definition of unemployment, which includes those discouraged from seeking work, rose to 43.1% from 41.9% in Q4. Five of the ten industries surveyed recorded job losses, primarily trade (-194 thousand to 3.228 million), construction (-119 thousand to 1.240 million) and private households (-68 thousand to 1.078 million). Conversely, the biggest increases were seen in transportation (+67 thousand to 1.131 million) and finance (+60 thousand to 3.008 million). The youth unemployment rate, which measures job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, climbed to 62.4% in Q1 2025, the highest level since Q1 2022, from 59.6% in the previous period.