South Africa’s official unemployment rate fell to 31,9% in the third quarter of 2025, down 1,3 percentage points from 33,2% in the second quarter, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released on Tuesday.

Employment increased by 248 000 to 17,1 million, while the number of unemployed dropped to 8,0 million.

Discouraged jobseekers rose by 36 000 to 3,5 million. Other available jobseekers increased by 130 000 to 965 000, and unavailable jobseekers by 64 000 to 83 000.

Gains were recorded in six of the 10 occupational categories, namely sales and services, craft and related trade, skilled agriculture, clerks, plant and machine operators and domestic workers.

According to Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke, the official unemployment rate decreased in seven provinces between quarters two and three.

Maluleke said that the unemployment rate among the Black African population (35,8%) remained higher than the national average and other population groups.

Together, the potential labour force grew by a net 230 000 to 4,5 million (persons who were available not seeking, or unavailable but seeking).

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