SA’s official unemployment rate drops to 31.4%

South Africa’s official unemployment rate has dropped to 31.4%, down from 31.9% percent, in the last three months of 2025.

Statistics South African (Stats SA) said employment rose by 44,000 to 17.1 million, largely due to an increase in seasonal work during the fourth quarter.

Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke said while the official unemployment rate dipped slightly, the number of people discouraged from looking for work has increased.

He added that despite this, the overall trajectory of South Africa’s unemployment rate is beginning to show signs of decline.