Unemployment decreased in 7 provinces between Q2 & Q3 of 2025 - Stats SA

The official unemployment rate decreased in seven provinces between the second and third quarters of the year, according to the latest data released on Tuesday by Stats SA.

This follows an overall national trend, as the general unemployment rate dipped to 31.9% in the three months through September, coming down from 33.2% in the previous quarter.

The largest decrease was recorded in Limpopo.

However, the Eastern Cape was the exception, recording the only increase. The province's unemployment rate currently far surpasses the national average.

Statistician-General at Stats SA, Risenga Maluleke, commented on the geographical disparity in joblessness:

"It is because the rural provinces are far away from urban centres where people will be ready to take up employment. That is why when you look at places like Gauteng, the gap between the grey colour and the red colour is narrower, so is the Western Cape; whereas when you look at provinces like the North West, Eastern Cape, [KwaZulu-Natal] we can see that the gap is relatively wider."