By Ebi Kesiena
South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, marking a one-percentage-point increase from the 31.9% recorded in the final quarter of 2024, according to new figures released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.
The latest data reveals ongoing challenges in the country’s labour market, with the number of unemployed individuals climbing to 8.23 million, up from 7.99 million in the previous quarter. The rise brings the unemployment rate back in line with levels seen during the same period in 2024.
The decline in employment further illustrates the strain on the economy. The number of employed South Africans dropped to 16.787 million in the first quarter, compared to 17.078 million in the final quarter of last year. This pushed the employment-to-population ratio, which measures the proportion of working-age people currently employed, down to 40.3%, from 41.1% previously.
According to experts, the increase in joblessness comes amid ongoing economic pressures, including sluggish growth, persistent load-shedding, and weak investor confidence. Economists say the data stresses the urgency of policy reforms aimed at stimulating job creation, especially among youth and in key sectors like manufacturing, services, and infrastructure.
While South Africa has made some gains in temporary and informal job creation in recent quarters, analysts warn that without sustained investment and structural reforms, long-term employment growth will remain elusive.
