Employment Rate in South Africa decreased to 39.70 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 40.60 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Employment Rate in South Africa averaged 42.07 percent from 2000 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 46.17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a record low of 35.93 percent in the third quarter of 2021. source: Statistics South Africa



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 16754.00 17099.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Rate 39.70 40.60 percent Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.00 59.30 percent Mar 2026
Population 63.10 63.02 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 8137.00 7836.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 32.70 31.40 percent Mar 2026
Wages 29690.00 29650.00 ZAR/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 25364.00 25184.00 ZAR/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 60.90 57.00 percent Mar 2026


South Africa Employment Rate
In South Africa, the employment rate measures the number of people who have a job as a percentage of the working age population.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
39.70 40.60 46.17 35.93 2000 - 2026 percent Quarterly
NSA