Employment Rate in South Africa decreased to 39.60 percent in the second quarter of 2026 from 39.70 percent in the first quarter of 2026. Employment Rate in South Africa averaged 42.04 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 16739.00 16754.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Employment Rate 39.60 39.70 percent Jun 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.60 59.00 percent Jun 2026
Population 63.10 63.02 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 8481.00 8137.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Unemployment Rate 33.60 32.70 percent Jun 2026
Wages 29997.00 29738.00 ZAR/Month Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 25190.00 25538.00 ZAR/Month Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 62.80 60.90 percent Jun 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
39.60 39.70 46.17 35.93 2000 - 2026 percent Quarterly
NSA