South Africa’s unemployment rate rose for the second consecutive quarter, reaching 33.6% in the three months to June — the highest level in four years.
Data released on Tuesday, 11 August, by Statistics South Africa in Pretoria showed the unemployment rate climbed from 32.7% in the previous quarter, exceeding the median estimate of 32.6% from four economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
The figures cover the first full quarter of employment data since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on 28 February. The war has driven up energy prices, squeezing household budgets, while South Africa’s central bank raised interest rates in May to curb inflation, adding further pressure on investment and consumption.
The number of unemployed individuals rose from 8.1 million to 8.5 million. The bulk of job losses occurred in the community and social services and mining sectors.
By contrast, the trade and construction sectors recorded an increase in the number of workers.
The rise in unemployment marks a further setback for South Africa’s fragile economy, which could face additional headwinds should the central bank choose to raise interest rates again to contain inflationary pressures.
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago and fellow policymakers held the benchmark rate at 7% last month, following the increase at the previous meeting.
Despite keeping the rate unchanged, officials cautioned that further action could be taken if necessary to bring inflation under control.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/11/mundo/africa/africa-do-sul-desemprego-aumentou-no-segundo-trimestre/
