# South Africa’s unemployment crisis has worsened, with 8.1-million people now jobless, according to Statistics South Africa. The agency reports that the unemployment rate increased to 32.7-percent in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.4-percent in the previous quarter. This follows a decrease of 345-thousand in employed persons. Stats SA also noted a rise in discouraged work seekers and those unable to find work, highlighting continued pressure on the labour market and a growing challenge for economic recovery.
SA job crisis deepens as unemployment hits 8.1 million people