South Africa’s unemployment level increased in the first quarter of 2026, with the total number of unemployed rising to 8.137 million, according to the latest data updated on 12 May 2026. This marks an uptick from 7.836 million unemployed recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The increase suggests that labour market pressures intensified at the start of 2026, with more job seekers unable to find work compared to the end of the previous year. While the figures highlight a deterioration in conditions over the quarter, they also provide an updated benchmark for policymakers and businesses assessing hiring trends and economic momentum in South Africa going into the rest of the year.